Circumstances in football often have a habit of culminating in one key fixture and Saturday’s game between Newcastle and Fulham at St James’ Park is certainly one of those occasions.
Fulham’s last league away win, some 18 months ago, came at St James’ Park - on the same day, Jimmy Bullard sustained the knee injury that marked the beginning of a long a gruelling battle back to full fitness.
Fulham are in search of their first away win in the league since September 2006, Newcastle are looking for their first win under the guidance of former Fulham Manager, Kevin Keegan, and Bullard makes his first return to Newcastle since that fateful day.
“It has been in the back of my mind and it was one of the first games I looked for at the beginning of the season,” said Bullard, speaking to Matt Butler of thelondonpaper. “I love playing at St James’ Park, it just so happens to be the place where I did my knee.
“I am looking forward to going back there. I’ll touch the place where I got injured and hope it never happens again.
“It has been a lucky ground for us. For us as players and as a team a win there could put us in a very good position. So hopefully we can go there and get one.”
Fulham will approach the match on the back of an impressive win over Everton – a win which gave the players a real lift in confidence according to the midfielder.
“The win at the weekend boosted all the boys’ confidence and in training it’s better than it’s ever been – it’s amazing what a win does to you, it’s just a great feeling.
“Everton are a great team and they are pushing for that fourth spot but the crowd at our ground was the best it ever has been. It was a great atmosphere and to come away beating them 1-0 was great for our confidence.
“We’ve got a team of really good lads. The last ten games we said was the start of our season and we’re off to a good start having drawn on and won one.”
Certainly if fate has any say – Saturday’s encounter looks set to be a memorable one.
