But his quotes about not feeling wanted is, well, just ludicrous.

We all wanted you Jimmy. You didn’t want us. You couldn’t play with 18 months left on your contract.

So you went to a club with “ambition”, like Hull City. A club with such offensive ambition, a facet you say you like, that they forget to defend. Go, look: they’ve conceded the most goals in the entire league. So while you’re ambitious going forward, and wanting an extension for that contract that ended in August 2010, enjoy it drinking Coca Cola.

After all, you’ll be wearing their badge on your sleeve at that time.

I did however enjoy the insight about Clint though.

As I’ve stated here and elsewhere, the question of Bullard leaving this transfer window was always a possibility. In fact, I’m really not surprised it happened considering this “groin/hamstring/plague” series of scratches was eerily similar to Defoe’s “flu.”

But its the where and the cost that really bugs me. From a business perspective, a player like Bullard going to a club like Hull City for five million quid is absolute nonsense. Hull might as well have just taken him on a Bosman.

To date, this transfer window hasn’t been about the how much money a team can spend on a player (ManCity aside). Instead, its about how much they can charge for a player. Get the difference?

Look at West Ham and Blackburn in comparison to ManCity. Under a good economy, ManCity would be spending oodles of cash — on top of what they already have — and no one would bat an eye. 10 million for Santa Cruz? Sure. Blackburn can turn around and find another quality striker for the same price they got him in the first place. Same with West Ham Bellamy.

But because cash is so tight at clubs across the island, both clubs and players are demanding more. Every penny is being fought for, negotiated, demanded, blackballed, etc. This transfer market is essentially sporting usury. Thats why Bellamy cost 14 million, and Santa Cruz will cost over 20.

So to see a deal like this go through is mind-boggling. Bullard should have been sold to a club like Hull for 7+ million. Nothing less.

And I say that because in this market it’ll be nearly impossible to recoup that net-2 million pound loss and find a good player on the cheap, anywhere.

I trust Roy, especially his transfer acumen. But unless he pulls a rabbit of a hat this is a huge blow in my eyes.

Jon Carter over at soccernet has an interesting perspective, and its not too kind.

Jimmy Bullard: One time England favourite, fishing fanatic and now a certified money-grabber of the highest proportion after his £5m club-record move to Hull City went through.

The reason? Not that Bullard has been impressed by the Tigers’ form this season, or that he thinks Phil Brown can develop his career so that he can eventually supplant Steven Gerrard in Fabio Capello’s England side; but that Hull are willing to offer him a whopping contract, while Fulham just weren’t.

With all the talk over whether one of the world’s best players, Kaka, would be tempted by City’s cash, it’s funny that Bullard should cop the flak for ditching Fulham’s push for Europe in favour of £££.

Still, Hull have been on a bit of a spending spree recently and we reckon that Bullard will be a pretty decent signing for them, as long as his weighty pockets don’t hinder his forays up the pitch.

Report from K-Town tomorrow.

Although I wasn’t a fan of even footy then, I’m sure today’s 3-0 victory over Boro was equally as dominant.

The MOTM must go to Zamora, whose introduction changed the game and gave some the offense some teeth up front — so much so the first goal was scored ten minutes after he was introduced.

The defense again played well, and chances from Boro were more sniffs at goal instead of clear-cut chances (excluding Tuncay’s open, missed header). Davies, who has become Mr. Anonymous as of late, had an integral part in supporting the offense. Need I even compliment Bullard and Murphy? And lastly, even Etuhu and Andreasen got some PT in garbage time.

These three points come at a vital time, as the holiday fixtures aren’t appetizing. Away to Spurs on Boxing Day and home to Chelsea next weekend doesn’t bode well for me.

Here’s some highlights for ya.

And it wasn’t because of Clint Dempsey starting, which is a celebration in of itself.

Its because there were teeth up front, the one area of the pitch we have struggled in so much so far. Although he hasn’t scored many goals, Zamora’s play up front has earned him at least 5. And accolades must go out to Jimmy Bullard, who I’ve criticized here a lot for regressing in form. But yesterday his shots were on point, and had it not been for Gomes’ amazing saves (which, howler aside, there were some). I expect big things from him from now on.

With a third of the way through the season, our point totals are (obviously) ahead of where they were last year. But we’re also taking more points off teams than last year, which bodes well for our future. And our defense is 4th best in the league (!!!).

Fulham are still 10th, but were able to separate themselves even further from clubs stuck in the mire. The next two fixtures, away to Liverpool and ‘Villa, are going to be tough and I’m not expecting much from them (honestly, a point will make me happy).

And thats okay, because I’m quite content with where the club is.

Yet today the club showed some grit and determination to snatch a point out of the jaws of defeat. And by the club I’m really referring to two substitutes: Erik “Iceman” Nevland and Clint Dempsey.

The additions of these two players turned the game on its head. Dempsey had a pioneering endeavor that us American’s are taught to possess in grade school. Nevland was precise, cool, and methodical in his passes and crosses. Up until their entrances, the club looked destined to another non-embarrassing but non-valiant goalless defeat. They two personally took the points from on an on-form but unmanaged Pompey.

What was also displayed was Bullard’s regression, Murphy’s volatility, and cardboard tactics. What I mean by that last point is every pass between each player to was that person, not to space. Each pass was always on the back heel, and countless individual seconds were lost as each player had to recoup while receiving. Then there were those awful crosses by Davies and Bullard.

If Dempsey doesn’t start on Wednesday, I’m going to give up on this coaching staff. Same goes for Nevland.

Speaking of which, Wednesday’s match against Wigan is huge. A win, and we’ll jump up in the table (finally). A loss, and we’re in the mire. A tie, and more prolonged agony.

If Zaki and Valencia can be contained — a HUGE if — then we should win it. But all chips are in the air with this coaching staff.

First, let’s not get carried away. We beat Arsenal, yes. But, this Arsenal had no Fabergas, Rosicky, or Eduardo. So, Fulham beat a offensively handicapped Arsenal. You know what? I’ll take it anyway. Fulham’s midfield controlled play, and shut down Arsenal entirely. Passing was good, and the defense played better than against Hull. Brede Hangeland scored a ninja goal, scoring with the bottom of his shoes on a Jimmy Bullard cross. After that, with the help of the post and Arsenal’s finishing issues, Fulham held on. Think about it, barring a stupid mistake by Konchesky (who was dropped from the team against Arsenal…coincidence?), Fulham would be sitting at 4 points, tied for third. To avoid the relegation scrap, Fulham needs to capitalize on its games against the Hull City, Stoke, and Leicester teams, and hope for a draw against these upper echelon teams. This weekend, Fulham got lucky and took three.

On the news front, Eddie Johnson, Mr. All Speed, No Finish, was loaned out to Cardiff City with an option to be brought back in January. I hope he gets a starting place with Cardiff, and can get some confidence. It’s not like Fulham is brimming with quality up top right now. (Here’s an interview with Eddie about the move.)

Andy Johnson is still out with a leg injury. David Healy is off to Sunderland. So, we’ve got Zamora and Neveland as the two top choice forwards. I’d still like to see Clint Dempsey in that mix, as he filled in admirably with 6 goals in place of Brian McBride.

Evidentally, we’re signing a guy named Kagiso Dikcacoi from South Africa. He scored two times in World Cup qualifiers, and plays for a club team in S.A. called Bafana Bafana. Welcome, Kagiso.

On Wednesday, Fulham has a Carling Cup match against Leicester City, a League One side currently sitting second in the table with a +4 goal difference. No one else has articles about the upcoming game, so I’ve got no information. Come back before game day…

No, honestly, what has transpired the past 5 weeks is Hollywood blockbuster fodder. Stuff you learn in middle school, only to find out isn’t true past high school. Narrative’s that our post post-modern society all but got rid of.

But somehow, those lads from SW6 turned around a season of despair. A season that every sane fan wrote off two months ago. A season where the manager(s), players, and owner were routinely slammed in the British and American media.

I was at a pub in Baltimore, watching the game with about six other Fulham fans in a tiny room on the second floor. There were some other people casually watching too but only to witness the spectacle, not to root for the Whites. “This game is where its at” said one man in a Hibs uniform. One Chelsea fan came up, obviously disgusted with his squads performance. Finally, we were being respected.

Although Pompey never looked like they were going to win, the updates from the Madjeski and St. Andrews were grave. How foolish of us to think that Derby, DERBY could come through for us. Or that a disinterested Blackburn could get a result. A tepid first half left us all quite nervous. I knew we weren’t going to lose, but a draw just wouldn’t be good enough if the results stayed the way they did.

The entire two hours were so entrancing. Several times the bartender asked me what I wanted, how I was doing, etc etc, and each time I responded as if awaking from a day dream: “Oh, Uhm, Uh… nothing, I’m all set thanks.”

The only respite and laughter we had was the constant scoring at the Riverside. 4-0. 5-0. 6-0. 7-0, etc etc. When I heard a Citizen was red carded, I thought briefly: “if Fulham were relegated, could we still sneak into Europe via the fairplay?” before snapping back into reality.

In the second half the lads picked up the performance. I wish I could get a copy of Woy’s half-time speeches because they seem to do the trick. Little Danny Murphy — who we’d been slagging all game — headed a corner directly into Ashdown’s chilling embrace. Later, a succession of headers around the net was eventually cleared by the Pompey line. We could feel it, the imminent goal that would lead us to survival. But being a Fulham fan taught us to always be wary, as the bottom could fall out at any moment.

And then it happened. Again little Danny Murphy with a header. But this time it tickled the twine and Fulham were up 1-0. What was once “We are winning away, we are winning away, you must be shiite because we are winning away!” became “We are Fulham, Super Fulham, We are Fulham, PREMIERSHIP!”

I don’t recall seeing the goal celebration as the room went into frenzy. Us Fulham fans jumped from their stools and cheered boisterously. Hugs, high fives, and fist pumps were thrown around like we had just won a trophy. The casual observers were even congratulating us, pleased that us Fulham fans who had not just been at the brink of despair, but in it as we resigned ourselves to the tragic inevitability months prior now had reason to celebrate.

The final fifteen minutes were agonizing, but we knew it was to be Fulham’s day. Each Pompey attack was thwarted by a brave tackle by Hanglehand, Davies, Bullard, et al. And then the whistle blew. Premier League status for another year.

But, sadly, it was suddenly over. This season of agony that turned to jubilation at the very end (finally?) expired. Yet unlike last summer, I believe in the manager and am ready for a productive off-season.

Come On You Whites!

Some vids/media:

Woy’s Interview
Gentleman Jim Counting Down the Final Minutes
SoccerNet (finally) loves us
Danny Murphy Interview

And, for everyone who considered Fulham done and dusted (including this here writer), well we got a big plate of crow to chow down. I really wish I could quit you, Fulham.

Just check out SkySports’ reaction:

Although I missed a majority of the match, when I read the 3-2 scoreline I laughed hysterically for a good 10 minutes – something I haven’t done since the victory over Arsenal in the fall of ’06.

Winning back-to-back road games for the first time in four years, Fulham pulled out a miracle on a day that saw them subject-to-relegation just 10 minutes in. Keller, Murphy, and Bullard all rebounded from disappointing performances last week, and possessed the drive and passion that saw us dispatch Everton, Reading, and Villa in the weeks and months past.

The only blemish on the day was Reading, Bolton, and Birmingham all gaining points. But with next week’s watershed fixture at the Cottage against the Brummies, Fulham may just find themselves (finally) out of this quagmire.

But here we are: three points from safety, a winnable match on the horizon, the monkey of away puditry off our backs at the perfect time, and enough momentum is see us clear. And the WhiteWitch continuing to amaze.

But wait…haven’t we been in this position before?

But for sixty or so seconds, I had hope. Hope that the march up the table would commence in earnest and the (embarrassing) road form would finally end.

Sadly, neither was to be.

You know your team is doomed when every match day is progressively worse than the one before. Today, it was waking up at 5am via a stomach bug and laying around in bed. Oddly,my health eased the frustration of today’s defeat.

How a club with any hopes of survival can be out-shot 19-9 by Derby is beyond me. Again, Woy implements questionable tactics, leaving leading scorer Dempsey on the bench while subbing out Bouazza and Bullard (who had played great) for the fossil Murphy (one goal from the run of play all season) and EJ (who looked disinterested, again).

Now six points from safety, Fulham cannot lose again for the remainder of the season. They must win at either ManCity, Pompey, or Reading.

Highlights are here

Hodgson has told the world not to put the pressure of saving the team from the Hell of Relegation on McBridge or Bullard’s shoulders.

“However, what we have got to be careful of is that we do not put too much pressure on Brian, and also Jimmy Bullard, by glamorising their returns.

“They are players the crowd have really taken too, recent greats if you like.

“Everyone went down when Fulham lost them, and having them back is a great boost.

and…

Hodgson maintained: “We must not put the responsibility for relegation or the retention of Premier League status on those two players.

“They have got to do their job and if they are in a good team, then I am certain it will be easier for them to play their part, but if they are in a bad team, then I don’t think they will be able to do anything much.”

That’s all well and good, Skip. But have you seen this team without Bullard? And McBride is the real deal, and will help this team out immediately. If we have any hope of escaping the suck, it’ll be these two guys carrying the team on their heavenly backs.