Saturday Interview: Bullard in condition to prove talisman for Tigers

The 31-year-old started the week by making his much-anticipated return to the Hull City midfield on an otherwise forgettable afternoon as their relegation problems deepened with a 5-1 thrashing at Everton.

Twenty-four hours later, Bullard was involved in a public bust-up with team-mate Nick Barmby on Hessle foreshore that culminated in Tigers manager Phil Brown yesterday issuing a public apology to the 100 or so members of the Women's Institute unfortunate enough to witness the clash.

As if that was not enough, Hull's club record signing will this weekend not only look to put a dent in Arsenal's Premier League title hopes but also make his acting debut as the public face of conditioner 'Wash&Go'.

Such an eventful week would leave most of us exhausted but not Bullard, who was in his usual irrepressible form when talking exclusively to the Yorkshire Post ahead of today's televised meeting with the Gunners.

Delighted to be back doing what he loves the most, playing football, he said: "The season has been up and down, if I am honest.

"I got myself fit (after suffering a serious knee injury on his Tigers debut) and back in the team. My first start was in a game we won (at home to Stoke last November) and that was brilliant, as was scoring in a 3-3 draw with West Ham when we were down to 10 men.

"Everything felt good and we were getting a few good results but then I got injured again.

"It was typical of me – I landed on my head (at Villa Park on December 5) but somehow injured my knee. It was a totally freak injury."

Bullard's playing time in a Hull shirt since joining from Fulham for 5m in January last year has been restricted to five starts and two appearances from the bench.

So, the sight of him being stretchered off at Villa in tears three months ago led to everyone involved with Hull fearing the worst and a recurrence of the knee problems that had twice kept the midfielder out for long periods.

With Bullard having been such a positive influence during his fleeting spell in the City midfield, another extended stint on the sidelines spelt possible disaster for survival hopes.

Thankfully for both Hull and Bullard, those fears were soon allayed as the play-maker embarked on another rehabilitation programme.

His eagerly-anticipated return at Goodison Park may have proved a disappointment with the game largely passing the former Wigan man by before being substituted on the hour, but if the Tigers are to stay up then Bullard surely has a major role to play.

It is a responsibility he is willing to bear. For once deadly serious, one of football's great characters said: "We have to get out of the bottom three and I think we will.

"There are still 30 points to play for this season, so there is a long way to go. The key is showing belief."

It was belief and a refusal to accept defeat that kept Fulham, with Bullard as their talisman, in the Premier League against all the odds two years ago.

With five games remaining, the Londoners were six points adrift of safety only to beat Reading, Manchester City, Birmingham City and Portsmouth during the run-in to survive on goal difference.

Bullard recalls: "When Fulham stayed up, it could have gone either way. It was a close run thing and looking back there were a few moments that made all the difference.

"The important thing was continuing to believe even when things were against us. We need to do the same now."

That run-in starts today with the visit of an Arsenal side fresh from the 5-0 hammering of Porto that earned Arsene Wenger's men a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Bullard said: "I saw Arsenal earlier in the week so know what we could be up against. But we have done well at home so far this season so Arsenal will also know what they are up against.

"We have to get in the faces of every team we play, not just Arsenal. The key, though, will be what we do ourselves. Holding the ball is everything and if we do that then we will be okay.

"It may be the last kick of the season that keeps us up, we just don't know. But we have to believe.

"To be honest, there is nothing better than staying up by the skin of your teeth. At Fulham, it was a brilliant feeling and so was last May when Hull stayed up. "

And if City do stay up, has the club's record signing got any special celebrations planned such as following the lead of his manager, who memorably took to the microphone in the wake of last season's final-day escape at home to Manchester United?

Bullard laughed: "Will I be singing? I doubt it. I was nervous enough filming the 'Wash&Go' spoof, even though I had a lot of fun making it. Put it this way, I am not sure I will make a future career out of acting.

"Though, having said that, you never know what might happen. If we do stay up on the last day, I might just wrestle the microphone off the manager and have a sing. You'll have to wait and see, mate."

Wash & Go, the original 2in1 shampoo and conditioner, is celebrating its 21st birthday by recreating the 80s advert starring football's funny man Jimmy Bullard. Watch Jimmy Wash & Go at www.youtube.com/wash&go21

Hull City v Arsenal

Team news: Andy Dawson and Craig Fagan are expected to return to the Hull squad after missing the thrashing at Everton. Stephen Hunt remains a major doubt after being absent at Goodison Park through a foot injury. Paul McShane may also be out as Hull look to avenge a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in a stormy encounter just before Christmas.

Last six games: Hull City DDWLLL, Arsenal WLWWWW.

Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).

Last time: Hull City 1 Arsenal 3; January 17, 2010; Premier League.

SkyBet odds: Hull to win 15-2; Arsenal to win 2-5; Draw 10-3.