IPSWICH Town midfielder Jimmy Bullard issued a dressing-room apology to his team-mates for the second time this season following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

The fans’ favourite – who patiently met hundreds of young fans at the club’s Planet Blue store yesterday alongside fellow players Michael Chopra and Aaron Cresswell – admits he was well below par at the weekend.

Subbed after an hour, he gave an honest appraisal of his display – just like he did following the 2-0 defeat in Blackpool last month.

“I told the boys I was crap,” said the 33-year-old. “But you get days like that.

“That happens in sport in general, not just football. I play golf. One day you turn up and swing well and you think you’ve cracked it. Then the next time you play it bites you on the bum.

“Sometimes you can’t quite put your finger on it, you have to forget about it and move on.”

Bullard was one of nine players in their 30s to feature for the Blues at the weekend, but he insists that age wasn’t a factor in a tired-looking defeat.

“I know we’ve got a few old boys in our team, but some of our fittest players are our oldest ones,” said the playmaker.

“A lot’s been said about the age of the England side recently, but I’m a great believer that if you’re good enough, you’re good enough – age is irrelevant, whether you’re young or old.

“When you’re towards the end of your career a poor performance gets blamed on your age. And when you’re at the beginning of your career a poor performance gets blamed on inexperience.

“If you’re not doing it out on the pitch, though, it’s because you’re not playing well. On Saturday we just weren’t good enough. Simple as that.”

He added: “It’s been a long time since I’ve played three games in a week, but that’s what you get in this league. I’m getting there now with my fitness.”