Fulham Football Club News

• Nickname:Cottagers
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin Jol

• Ground:Craven Cottage
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Hodgson backs Bullard stance

24 Jan 2009 - 11:05:03

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson says his club had little choice but to allow midfielder Jimmy Bullard to join Hull City in a £5million deal.

The 30-year-old still had 18 months of his Cottagers deal to run, with talks over a new contract having stalled over Bullard's wage demands.

Hodgson said: "It's too easy for fans to say the club should have done more to keep Jimmy. People at the top of the club have to make nuanced decisions.

"They have to look at the wider picture every time there are wage demands or new contract demands.

"We were very fair when it came to Jimmy and we did what we thought was right, but we accepted the road he wanted to go down was not where we wanted to go.

"It wasn't just about his wage demands, it was about the length of contract as well. He wanted a long-term contract.

"I was rather hoping there wouldn't be anyone else out there who would give it to him either.

"Hull came up with the package he was looking for. It's now up to us to prove we can be a good team without him.

"People say clubs can't exist without certain players, but with all due respect to Jimmy he only played the one full year at the club because of injury.

"I understand the fans aren't happy that a player they appreciate is leaving the club.

"They'll have to understand we're not happy about it either, but for the good of the club the right decision was made.

"Had we conceded to his wage demands it would have created problems for us."