Andy Johnson will hit top gear, says Bullard

Bullish: Bullard says goals will come

David Smith13 April 2012

Jimmy Bullard and Andy Johnson often share a car to and from training and recently the drive-time conversation turned to Fulham's lack of goals.

Manager Roy Hodgson's hefty investment in a strike partnership of Johnson, who cost a club record £10.5million from Everton, and Bobby Zamora, who came from West Ham with John Pantsil for a combined £6.5m, has so far failed to pay dividends.

Zamora has netted only once in the League this season while Johnson has still to get off the mark. As a consequence, Fulham go into tonight's home clash against Wigan with the top flight's worst scoring record of just six.

Yet Bullard denies the goal-shy forwards could leave Fulham facing another relegation battle.

"This game is so fickle," he said. "Once AJ and Bobby start scoring a few, they'll suddenly become the best strikers in the League. We haven't won for five games and that's hard for the whole team. But once we get that next win you'll see our strikers come to life.Goals will come. AJ's prolific and we're not worried about him at all. He's got ability and you saw glimpses of it in the draw at Portsmouth on Sunday.

"AJ's a good friend. He lives round the corner from me and we travel in to training together. You have to remember this is a new club for him and he's coming back from injury. But he feels sharper."

Tonight is the first time Bullard will face the club where he made his name, helping Wigan win promotion to the Premier League in 2005 and reach the Carling Cup Final against Manchester United the following season.

But sentiment will be left on the touchline. "I had a brilliant time at Wigan," said the 30yearold, who spent three seasons there. "I made a lot of good friends at the club. But I feel that we can get three points from the game.

"We've already beaten Arsenal at home and while meaning no disrespect to Wigan I don't see why we can't win again."

One change to Fulham's starting line-up could see Clint Dempsey, who scored the equaliser in Sunday's 1-1 draw, replace Zoltan Gera in midfield.