HULL CITY: Bullard must fight for his place, says Adam Pearson
ADAM Pearson says Jimmy Bullard will be made available for selection again – but warns that a Hull City recall must be earned the hard way.
Bullard was not considered for selection during August with the Tigers unwilling to risk any potential loan move being scuppered by injury.
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Hull City's Jimmy Bullard
The passing of the transfer window on Tuesday ruled out a switch back into the Premier League and unless a Championship club makes a surprise move, Bullard will remain at the KC Stadium until at least January.
With wages of £45,000-a-week dwarfing those of his City team-mates, sections of support want to see the former Fulham playmaker return to the first-team fold.
But head of football operations Pearson has admitted Bullard has "a lot to prove" if he is to win a place back in the City side.
"Jimmy comes back into the plans but we'll have to see how it goes," he told the Mail.
"If he trains well and shows up well, I'm sure he will get his chance.
"His performances at the end of last season were mixed and he's got a lot to prove to show he deserves a place in the side."
Although Bullard will again be made available, it remains to be seen if manager Nigel Pearson will turn to him.
The 31-year-old has not played since late April and as yet has not been given a squad number for the new season.
The recent arrival of Robert Koren and John Bostock, two creative midfielders well liked by Pearson, also place an obstacle in Bullard's path back towards first-team football.
City's failure to off-load Bullard comes as a significant, if unsurprising, blow to the club's hopes of financial stability.
A season-long loan deal to Celtic was agreed in July to save City around £1.5m over the year, only for Bullard to reject the move after personal talks in Glasgow.
The midfielder had been hopeful of a Premier League club swooping and although it is understood City were willing to see him leave in a cut-price £15,000-a-week deal to any suitors, none were willing to take a risk because of his injury record.
Given a lack of match sharpness after playing just 15 games in the last 20 months, Bullard is unlikely to be called upon when the Tigers travel to Cardiff next Saturday and may have to work on his fitness at reserve team level.
But Pearson has stressed that the door remains open for his return to the side.
"Jimmy wanted to play Premier League football and we wanted to reduce our wage bill," he said.
"It would have been in everyone's interests, but we haven't had one Premier League team come in for him.
"That leaves Jimmy as a Hull City player and he will be treated like any other member of the squad."
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by Lambrettaman, Hong Kong
Thursday, September 09 2010, 11:02AM
“Whatever.”
by Terryl, Anlaby
Thursday, September 09 2010, 7:45AM
“Oh so that proves it then. An article reflecting heavy briefing by the club in their propaganda battle with no facts just baseless allegations that were never followed through. And was there ever an FA investigation? No. Is any of the claimed factual reporting in this article true? How do we know. It is important not to let our current masters of spin pull the wool over your eyes or you. Might fall of your scooter. Very brave to challenge a guy to sue you when you know both sides are legally bound not to comment. The only indisputable facts are what Duffen achieved for the club and I think we miss his leadership. Sure he fell out with his partner and got blamed for everything but if you are bright enough to ride a bike you should see through the blanket of AP spin.”
by Lambrettaman, Hong Kong
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:02AM
“http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1250359/Paul-Duffen-set-FA-inquiry-despite-settling-legal-dispute-Hull-court.html
This story can be found in every national and local newspaper from this period and you have to be blind, deaf and dumb to believe that it's a 'baseless accusation'.
If it is, I challenge Paul Duffen to bring a libel action against me, the thieving little toad.”
by Lambrettaman, Hong Kong
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:52PM
“Jeez, sometimes I feel I'm doing missionary work on here.”
by Terry, Anlaby
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:08PM
“You are deluded scooter boy and should be ashamed of yourself making baseless accusations to suit your agenda.”
by Lambrettaman, Hong Kong
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 10:03PM
“Terry, Anlaby
I'm afraid I can't be grateful to a fraudster who stole millions from our club, evidently you don't see it as an issue.
Presumably you also see a player getting £45k a week + £3k a week pay rises every 15 games as a good deal?”
by Terry, Anlaby
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 9:26PM
“Moped man you are the moron. Duffen performed miracles with no resources and together with PB delivered incredible results based on good old fashioned people management and inspirational leadership. Sure he was used as a scapegoat by Bartlett and Pearson but everything he said would happen has come to pass and the club is fine apart from having a potless owner and now has Premier League history. People like you who get off on criticising those who dare to lead make me sick. If you cared about the club more than your own green eyed agenda you would acknowledge how lucky we were to have Duffen at the club and how hopeless we look from top to bottom without him.”
by Jack Russell, Stirlingshire
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 7:48AM
“Tiger Tiger, 'Ull - Keep the heid Tiger. This constant signing on keeps yer fingers exercised and makes it more of an exclusive club. This also makes the news from the HDM more exclusive to the point that they don't tell you anything!”
by Tiger Tiger, 'Ull
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:42PM
“This site is getting worse.
I changed from Sporthull to this lot, now they force you to sign upo again.
Then the comment pre-completes your name instead of the registered login name.
Heyzus kryste they get ruddy worse although that never seemed possible.
As if the results weren't bad enough we have the Sunderland supporting schleppie and company to thank for the most unnappealing crepe we're ever likely to get.
Feck I even thoght they should bring back brown for a moment!
Useless bar-stewards!
It's a non story, do some diggin, get to the Cricle and get talking to people IF they can stomach your inane questions.
Muppets!”
by Tiger Tiger, @Ull
Monday, September 06 2010, 11:35PM
“Bla Bla, got anything else since the 4th.
Jeeze you lot are useless.
Utterly useless and lacklustre reporting.
More interesting in births and deaths!”