Jimmy Bullard's contract demands were the reason for his departure from Fulham to Hull, claims Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson. Fulham were reluctant to offload the 30-year-old, who had 18 months left on his existing deal, but refused to cave in to his wage demands.

"It's too easy for fans to say the club should have done more to keep Jimmy," he said.

"People at the top of the club have to make nuanced decisions.

"They have to look at the wider picture every time there are wage demands or new contract demands.

"We were very fair when it came to Jimmy and we did what we thought was right but we accepted the road he wanted to go down was not where we wanted to go.

"It wasn't just about his wage demands, it was about the length of contract as well. He wanted a long-term contract.

"I was rather hoping there wouldn't be anyone else out there who would give it to him either.

"Hull came up with the package he was looking for. It's up to us to prove we can be a good team without him."