No regrets says skipper - exclusive

Last updated : 22 May 2007 By Andy Parsons

Wednesday eventually missed the play-offs by only four points although getting the odd point in January could have been priceless - unfortunately The Owls went pointless through that dismal period of an otherwise successful season.

But Bullen knows that every team has their bad runs from time to time and there is no point looking back because looking forward, the future is bright.


He told Footymad: "You can definitely point at our form in January and say it was a missed opportunity looking back, then again you can look at other teams around us and I am sure the likes of Stoke will be ruing losing the odd last-minute goal or scored that penalty here and there things would have been different.


"But every team thinks like that so there's no point in looking back. If we didn't go on an 11-match unbeaten run at the end of the season we would never have been talking about getting into the play-offs. We are delighted though to end in that position and we are enjoyed giving the fans something to smile about."


Frankie Simek won many plaudits for his efforts last season and won the club's defender-of-the-year award although Bullen thinks that the American deserved more recognition for a remarkable job done.


He said: "Personally speaking, playing at the back my player of the year goes to Frankie Simek who is one of these unsung heroes who plays well every game.


"Then again you have Glenn Whelan who has been excellent. He took a bit of stick last year and rebounded brilliantly. If you ask me who would be the first name on the team sheet, it would be Glenn week in, week out for me.


"You can also look at the likes of Iain Turner who was excellent and Richard Wood who has come back well from injury - but my nod goes to Frankie."


Speaking of Wood, Bullen was quick to point out the improvement he made to the team following a nightmare spell on the sidelines and thinks that the youngster has a massive future.


He added: "It shows the true class of a player when you come back from injury well. He was thrown into the lion's den up at Leeds, dealt with things brilliantly and has been outstanding ever since."