Various reports have been linking Jimmy Bullard with other teams this summer. It’s been hard to take seriously – the player means a lot to Fulham – but the stories have persisted.
Here’s an example, from The Times:
Wigan Athletic are trying to re-sign Jimmy Bullard. The midfield player joined Fulham for £2.5 million two years ago but has been put up for sale
(my emphasis)
Someone on TiFF wrote to the Times and was smartly rebuffed. The constructive gist was that while we hear some things that clubs/managers/etc make public (for their own reasons), much goes on that we don’t know about, including off the record briefings.
The Times have since stressed that they put their gossip in the transfer gossip page and “solid reportage” (e.g. has been confirmed from both ends of the story) in their Window Watch. This story is in the Window Watch.
I can’t see him going back to Wigan. I recall that playing in London and being close to his family was the biggest reason for leaving them in the first place. Wigan had a fantastic season, so I didn’t see it as move to bigger and better things either. Obviously, that could change if Wigan makes a great contract offer, but the whole thing doesn’t seem very likely to me.
I could see Bullard being available for the right price, though. You would have to consider a bid in the £8m range.
Comment by Colin — July 23, 2008 @ 3:19 pm |
It’s the “put up for sale” bit that interests me. On TiFF the Times Football Editor said that Bullard had been offered to Middlesbrough in a swap deal, and the person I emailed confirmed that these stories are in the proper reporting part of the site rather than the wild gossip part. The Times has no reason to lie about this, and whether Jimmy goes or whether he stays, there’s something going on.
Comment by weltmeisterclaude — July 23, 2008 @ 3:25 pm |
The gist of the Times editor’s response was that Fulham had offered Bullard in part exchange for a player at Middlesbrough. He was fairly positive that this was based on good evidence. The following story of a bid from Wigan might suggest there’s something in it. I guess a lot of these sort of negotiations go on behind the scenes and don’t always come to fruition. I’d be very disappointed to see him go, so hope it doesn’t happen, but at the end of the day I’m happy to trust in Roy.
Comment by Chopper — July 23, 2008 @ 3:38 pm |
I still tend not to believe anything without a direct quote, but that does seem odd.
Didn’t see The Times’ article on this, only some generic “Club A is keen to be set to bid on blah blah blah” article from another site, which went straight to auto-ignore.
Comment by Colin — July 23, 2008 @ 3:54 pm |
If there was any truth in this , why would he be in Korea with the team. He played 45 mins today did he not ? and Wigan ?? Come on why would he want to go to a smaller club. I could maybe understand if there was an opportunity to move to a bigger club.
Comment by Jockney — July 23, 2008 @ 4:05 pm |
That’s not the point though. *He* might not want to go, but the papers are saying that the club are shopping him around. Which is interesting, when you think about the club as much as we all do, no?
Comment by weltmeisterclaude — July 23, 2008 @ 4:06 pm |
Well I just hope it is all mere speculation. I would not like to see him go. His talismanic qualities offer so much more than just his efforts on the pitch. Right from the moment he scored that goal against Villa the gloom lifted and his inspiration helped to maintain our status in the elite.
Personally I think it would be very deflating if he were to leave us
Comment by Jockney — July 23, 2008 @ 4:18 pm |
I agree entirely.
Comment by weltmeisterclaude — July 23, 2008 @ 4:20 pm |
Sell high! I can believe that we’re shopping him around. Doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll accept any bid, but when you have a player whose perceived value is at its highest, it makes sense to see if there are any takers. That said, I would still be sad to see him go at whatever price that may be.
Comment by Colin — July 23, 2008 @ 4:21 pm |
I would be sad to see him go but it’s important we don’t let our appreciation of his tireless efforts cloud our stone cold judgment. Jimmy’s far from the finished article. In fact, some of his passing last year was truly shocking. His game is mostly based around pace and, let’s face it, he’s only likely to have that for another season or two. Now, I’m not saying I want him out and his freekicks helped save our premiership status but we’re not talking about a young wonderboy here. His currency is high at the moment with every media outlet giving him the full credit for our survival and he is replaceable.
Comment by Rob — July 23, 2008 @ 4:28 pm |
On the other hand, rejecting a huge bid for Bullard might be a “we are serious” move that could help attract future signings. Another aspect to consider, anyway.
Comment by Colin — July 23, 2008 @ 4:43 pm |
I think every succesful club need a conduit to the fans (i dont think that is great English!) and Jimmy is that man for Fulham. It wouldnt necessarely ruin us but it would be a much duller place without him. Also my son would be heartbroken as would most junior Fulham fans be. He is a true hero to them, someone that can be boasted about in the playground to the masses of junior armchairTV fans of Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd. I know everyone has a price at Fulham so I for one would not not want to see him go for anything less than 8mil if he had to be sold to balance the books.
Comment by Bruno — July 23, 2008 @ 5:32 pm |
I”m still not sure how to take this. We have a poster over on FUSA who believes that this has been generated by Bullard’s agent as a tool to renegotiate his contract. The thinking is that this is his one great opportunity after having contributed so significantly to escaping relegation. This rings true with me, but …
As for where we are if he SHOULD transfer out, if we’re keeping Steve Davis and Danny Murphy, and if we’ve picked up Gera to go with Dempsey and Davies, then we’re not exactly short of pacy midfielders with good vision and passing ability. I didn’t think that Bullard was at his best in most of his matches last season, and I grew more and more frustrated with his taking EVERY dead ball — especially the corners — when I thought that Murphy or Davies — especially at corners — would have been more adept.
All that being the case, I still like the idea of a healthy Bullard on the pitch.
As far as cutting him loose and what that would do to fan support, I would remind you of the words of the then Oakland Athletics star outfielder Reggie Jackson when asked why he left them via free agency instead of staying with them his whole career: “The Giants traded Mays. The Braves traded Aaron. The Yankees traded Babe Ruth. Why would I think that the Athletics wouldn’t someday trade Reggie Jackson?”
Comment by HatterDon — July 23, 2008 @ 6:16 pm |
I can’t imagine Roy would sell Bullard, especially after losing McBride. Those guys were the heart and soul of the squad. Losing both would be devastating.
I wonder, though, if perhaps they are trying to sell Bullard to finance Andy Johnson’s signing? I hope not. I’d rather keep Jimmy B.
Comment by BC — July 23, 2008 @ 6:59 pm |
The Evening Standard were at it tonight as well, quoting Fulham sources or somesuch that he was due to be discussing the situation with RH. It’s hard to believe that the club haven’t been briefing.
We’ve heard consistently and plausibly that Jimmy himself is happy and doesn’t want to go. However, if he’s told he’s not wanted here as badly as at (e.g.) Wigan, and there’s money in it, and he’s reminded that it’s a short career after which he can live out the rest of his life dahn sarf…..well I would no longer be amazed.
Comment by b+w geezer — July 23, 2008 @ 9:58 pm |
I think this is it. As has been suggested, it might very well be that Roy thinks Bullard’s reputation is greater than Bullard’s value (both being quite high, of course). So he’s testing the waters just to see if this is true, and, if so, to what extent. It’d take balls of steal to sell him, but if he finds a really good offer he’s going to explore it.
Comment by weltmeisterclaude — July 23, 2008 @ 10:09 pm |
If that is indeed what Roy thinks, then it would be a no lose situation from his standpoint. Either an excellent transfer deal or a good player retained, but made conscious that — public hero or not — he’s not a nailed-on choice….JB being a sufficient robust soul not to be crushed by that: merely motivated.
Alternatively, Roy is oblivious to all this and nobody’s been briefing [all summer].
Comment by b+w geezer — July 23, 2008 @ 10:46 pm |
I think we were all amazed at the apparent recovery JB made from his knee injury but it may just be that the knee is less than perfect and that partly he’s been on an adrenaline high.
We seem to be well stocked with attacking midfielders but need a CB, LB and quality striker. The budget may demand sales and JB could yet attract a premium price and be a player in risk of breaking down physically.
With Murphy well able to play central midfield with a tough tackling companion and if Steven Davis + Jimmy Bullard = Andy Johnson then maybe it’s a hard headed deal worth making.
Personally I hope JB stays fit and plays for us but as others have said there’s clearly something in all this. For all that he may lack the discipline demanded by a tactical manager I think his personality and energy would be seriously missed.
Comment by Tony Gilroy — July 24, 2008 @ 7:00 am |
or it could be a way to keep Jimmy’s feet on the ground. We shall see.
Comment by weltmeisterclaude — July 24, 2008 @ 8:20 am |
It’s also interesting to note that Davis did not travel to Korea. If he is to go to Rangers there may be some development today as it is the deadline for players to be registered for Europe.
Comment by Jockney — July 24, 2008 @ 10:57 am |
is that so? Interesting.
Comment by weltmeisterclaude — July 25, 2008 @ 7:02 pm |