Southampton 1 Portsmouth 4:A HAPPY ending to a chaotic season still seems improbable for Portsmouth, but certain individuals may yet emerge victorious. David James, for instance, is performing in a way that suggests he is winning his battle to retain the England number one jersey for the World Cup.
Having lost his place in the Portsmouth team before Christmas because of injuries and the encouraging form of his young understudy, Asmir Begovic, James had been expected to leave Fratton Park in January. That had seemed the ideal solution both for the player – who craved a first-team platform on which to impress Fabio Capello – and his financially incapacitated club, where he is one of the highest earners.
A loan move to Stoke was mooted until negotiations foundered on the question of salary. Then Begovic moved to the Britannia Stadium instead and, lo and behold, James found himself in the starting line-up again. His wages may still be a burden, but his performances have been a boon. Without him on Saturday, Portsmouth could have suffered another embarrassment in an ignominious season by being ousted from the FA Cup by their most bitter rivals.
In terms of chances created Southampton should have been in front by half-time, but James, despite one dropped cross which the home team did not punish, kept Portsmouth level before, in the second period, his side showed their sharper edge and triumphed 4-1. Two saves in particular stood out: an improvised double-stop from a close-range header by Papa Waigo N’Diaye in the ninth minute and, just before the break, an unconventional block with his armpit from Wayne Thomas.
Avram Grant has spoken recently of his regret at promises that, he says, have been broken since he agreed to replace Paul Hart as Portsmouth manager three months ago, but he is grateful that he has at least been able to retain James. “One of the conditions when I came was that we keep the whole squad, including the goalkeepers – now you see why,” said Grant.
“In the last games Jamo has been brilliant. He stopped a 100 per cent goal against Sunderland before we equalised [last week] and he saved us against Southampton when it was 0-0. Whenever you need him, he’s there.”
For that reason, Grant believes Capello must make the 39-year-old England’s first-choice in South Africa. “He is the best English goalkeeper,” Grant said. “Maybe the group stages [at the World Cup] are a little bit easy but then there are knockout games and you need someone who can save you when you have bad moments. That’s Jamo.”
