Jimmy will fix it for Hull - Brown

Posted Saturday, October 24, 2009 by PA

Hull manager Phil Brown believes the returning Jimmy Bullard will breathe new life into his team's season.

Bullard, Hull's record signing, is poised to make his first start for the club in Saturday's Premier League clash against Portsmouth at the KC Stadium.

The #5million midfielder - 31 today - made his long-awaited return to action following knee surgery when he came off the bench in Monday's loss at Fulham.

Bullard had been sidelined for nine months after suffering a knee injury on his debut in January and undergoing major surgery on the joint for the second time in less than two-and-a-half years.

Brown said: "You'd love to manage him - he's perfect, he's a dreamer.

"He wants to be the best player on the field of play every day.

"It would energise anybody, not just the manager. If I was a player it would energise me because his enthusiasm is faultless.

"It's fantastic, he's always got a smile on his face.

"There is a natural enthusiasm where Jimmy is concerned that will stand football in good stead and hopefully Hull City in the near future."

Bullard, who also came through a 60-minute run-out for the reserves at Wigan on Tuesday, proved his inspirational qualities in Fulham's escape from relegation in 2008.

His potential return for Hull is timely with the Tigers 18th in the competition after collecting just seven points from nine games.

The visit of bottom side Portsmouth, who have lost eight from nine, is crucial for both sides but Brown is keen not to over-emphasise its importance.

He said: "People talk about must wins, but I don't think it is a must win.

"You want to go into every game wanting to win.

"Ten points from 10 games would be a half decent return and we'd go back to the drawing board for the second phase of the season.

"It makes it a big win if we are on 10 points and Portsmouth are still on three."

Portsmouth's season continues to be overshadowed by off-field issues and Brown admits he has sympathy for opposite number Paul Hart.

He said: "It is a difficult situation for all managers when you are under that much pressure and it is nothing to do with football.

"He'll do everything he can try to keep it away from them.

"I don't envy his position but we've all got our crosses to bear and mine is to win the next game."

Brown is also hoping to be boosted by the return of defender Anthony Gardner after two months on the sidelines.

The former Tottenham centre-back has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and made just eight appearances last season after his #2.5million move to Hull.

Portsmouth forward Tommy Smith is determined to prove the answer to his side's goalscoring conundrum this season.

The south-coast club have taken just three points from their opening nine Premier League matches.

One major factor behind their slump is the fact they have notched just five league goals this term - the worst strike-rate in the top flight.

Critics have rounded on misfiring frontmen Aruna Dindane and Frederic Piquionne, but Smith is hoping he could be the man to take the pressure off the pair.

The 29-year-old netted 17 times for Watford in all competitions last season and bagged two in August prior to his move to Fratton Park.

Now he is eager to find his scoring boots in the Premier League and fire Pompey out of the drop zone.

He said: "I'd like to get off the mark. I came here in great form and I had a great season in front of goal last year.

"I got a couple this year before I came, so it would be nice to get one and I'm sure that would start the ball rolling."

Smith has thrown his support behind Ivory Coast international Dindane, who missed a number of clear-cut chances in Pompey's 2-1 loss at home to Tottenham last Saturday.

The former Watford man is confident the Fratton Park faithful have not seen the best of the Lens loanee.

He said: "He's a good player - I've enjoyed playing with him. Aruna came here and he wasn't fit - he had obviously been injured for a while and hadn't trained.

"I think there are still better and better things to come from him. He's showing bits of it in training and he's going to be a good player for us.

"He's quick, he's strong, he has a good touch and he is creating some chances. Aruna is a player I think I can link up well with."