Source: PA
Upturn in fortunes pleases Baird
Chris Baird is glad to have proved his doubters wrong after playing a key role in Fulham's progression over the last 18 months.
Baird, who signed from Southampton in 2007, was used sparingly in his first two seasons at the club but turned out for the Cottagers 52 times last year in arguably the club's greatest ever season.
Fulham boss Mark Hughes has continued to play him regularly this season and ended any doubts about the 28-year-old's future by offering him a new three-year contract which he gladly signed last September.
"I had a hard time at the start, everyone knows that, but I'm glad that I managed to turn things around," Baird said. "There was probably an element of proving a few people wrong - I can't deny that.
"I feel like I am part of this team now. That wasn't always the case because I wasn't playing.
"I was chuffed to bits to sign a new contract, and I think that is a sign that the club has the utmost faith in my ability and that I can play a part in where this team wants to go."
