Jimmy Bullard was full of praise for his team mates following Saturday's victory over Arsenal. Fulham held out to protect Brede Hangeland's first half strike and Bullard was delighted with Fulham's defensive performance after a scintilating first half display.
“I thought our first half performance was the best we’ve played for a long time. It was good moving football and what you’d normally associate Arsenal with. We matched them, and if not, did better then them in the first half and got on top.
“We’ve got a good defence and the two boys at centre half were awesome. It’s not easy marking Adebayor and Van Persie and they were excellent. As a team we’re defensively well organised. The whole team did well and I thought Bobby also did well up top.
“The last 15 minutes was difficult to be honest. You’re filling in spaces and their movement in the second half was unbelievable really. We protected a one-nil lead which we didn’t do against Hull in the opening game.”
Fulham showed tremendous character to hold out against Arsenal on Saturday after a sustained period of pressure during the final twenty minutes and Bullard was quick to credit the character of Roy Hodgson's side after the game.
“We showed the spirit we had here at the end of last season. You can’t achieve what we did without spirit and desire and beating a top team is bound to give you confidence.
“The Manager’s signed some cracking players and kept some of the ones from last year so we look good. We’ve got Andy Johnson to come in as well up top which is going to be an additional threat so we’re looking like a good squad.”
Bullard thrived in the heart of midfield on Saturday and received high praise from the media after the game and the midfielder is clearly loving every minute of action after missing nearly 16 months of football through injury.
“Now I’m playing I’m just enjoying every minute of it. I know how close I was not being able to play again to be honest so every time I step on that pitch I just try and enjoy 90 minutes of football.
“At one point it was ‘have another operation or hang your boots up’. I stuck in there and did the rehab and I can’t thank the surgeon, Dr. Steadman enough. He got my leg back to where it was and if not stronger.
“I did the rehab properly, which was bloody hard graft but I’m out there playing again now. This is what you play football for - to beat the likes of Arsenal on your own pitch. I love Fulham Football Club and I want to stay here and play for Fulham.”
