Source: Team_Talk
Dowie expects Bullard to move on
Iain Dowie reckons Jimmy Bullard will stay in the Premier League even despite his patchy form - simply because Hull cannot afford to keep him.[LNB] When Bullard arrived at the KC Stadium in a £5million deal from Fulham last January it was supposed to be a statement of the club's Premier League intentions.[LNB]But two serious knee injuries have limited Bullard to only 15 appearances for the Tigers and his reported £45,000-a-week wages are a major outlay for a club struggling with large debts and heading for the Championship.[LNB]Newcastle and West Brom have been linked with moves for Bullard but, given his injury history and patchy form, Hull can expect to recoup only a fraction of what they paid.[LNB]Dowie said: "I wouldn't be surprised if there's some movement there for Jimmy to play in the Premier League. Not because of anything other than the fact the wages aren't sustainable."[LNB]Bullard has come in for criticism from a number of Hull fans for his performances since he returned to fitness in March following his latest knee problem.[LNB]It is a far cry from his first spell in the team, when he inspired the Tigers to an unbeaten run in November and picked up the Barclays Player of the Month award.[LNB]Dowie admitted the playmaker's form has been inconsistent but feels he has been made a scapegoat for the team's problems.[LNB]"It's been a mixed bag and I think he would agree with that himself," said Dowie. "But too much is talked about with Jimmy - it can't always be just him being at the root of all problems. I think that's very harsh on the lad.[LNB]"He's come back and the team's been in a worse run of form and it's not as easy to flourish in a team that's not full of confidence."[LNB]Dowie's own future, meanwhile, is far from certain, with his short-term contract due to run out at the end of next week.[LNB]Both Dowie and chairman Adam Pearson have stressed sorting out the club's financial problems are a greater priority than appointing a manager for next season, and the former Crystal Palace and Charlton boss insists he is happy with the situation.[LNB]He said: "I knew what I was coming into. You can't now say 'oh, it's not fair' and moan, that's not what I'm about. Adam made it very clear and he's been very honest with me.[LNB]"He's got a lot on his plate rescheduling the finance of this club and that's the most important issue. My future is secondary. What is important is that they get a manager in as soon as they can to move forward.[LNB]"We're due to meet anyway next week but whether that's about my future or the club's future, that's a discussion that will come out in the fullness of time."[LNB]Dowie has already indicated his desire to stay on at the KC Stadium, and he added: "I like the area and I've had a very good response from the players. I'm a very passionate person, I want to right the wrongs. In my time we haven't done well enough.[LNB]"I think there's some potential here. Clearly there's huge challenges in terms of reshaping the squad but they've got a man in Adam who knows what he's doing. Hopefully, there can be exciting times ahead."[LNB]Hull end their two-year stay in the Premier League at home to Liverpool on Sunday, and Dowie is hoping they can go out with a bang.[LNB]He added: "We know the magnitude of the task against one of the giants of the game in Liverpool but I think it's very important we show what we're about and, on our last hurrah for a period of time, we've got to make sure we show that we've brought value to the Premier League."[LNB]Dowie is likely to be without Bullard (ankle) and Caleb Folan (knee) for the KC Stadium clash.
