James is Pompey colossus

England goalkeeper nominated for PFA award

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 11th April 2008

David James Portsmouth Premier League

James: Last line of defence

THE NOMINEES
Players' Player of the Year
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
David James (Portsmouth)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Young Player of the Year
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Micah Richards (Man City)
+ Vote for who you think the players will select as their PFA Players' Player of the Year? Go to www.givemefootball.com to vote and you could be in with a chance of winning a signed framed shirt of the Players' Player and the Young Player.

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David James has gone from calamity to colossus during his career at the very highest level.

The veteran Portsmouth goalkeeper has been rightly recognised for his superb displays at Fratton Park by being nominated for this season's PFA player of the year award.

A return from the international wilderness under new England boss Fabio Capello provided further reward for a man who has had to overcome more than his fair share of criticism and scrutiny during 20 years in the game, which has taken in stints with Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.

Handed the cruel moniker 'Calamity James' after a series of high-profile blunders during his time at Anfield, the young shot-stopper did himself few favours with the admission that too many hours on the Playstation were affecting his performances.

James' honesty was again to prove his undoing at international level when, after England's 4-1 friendly defeat to Denmark in August 2005, he stated he not prepared properly for the match.

Already behind Paul Robinson as Sven Goran Eriksson's preferred No.1 after an error in the World Cup qualifier against Austria, James did not make another start for his country under either the Swede or his successor Steve McClaren.

But the clean slate provided by Capello has handed James a route back into the England side, and few can argue that he does not deserve it after a series of outstanding outings to fully repay the faith shown in him by Pompey boss Harry Redknapp.

Agility

Time and again he has demonstrated his stunning shot-stopping abilities, displaying a level of agility and athleticism which is testament to the rigorous training regime he undertakes to keep himself in shape to perform at the very highest level.

Portsmouth's appearance in their first FA Cup final since 1939 owes much to James, as he kept Manchester United at bay in the quarter-finals at Old Trafford, producing several outstanding stops, including one breathtaking save from Patrice Evra.

No goalkeeper in the history of the Premier League has kept more clean sheets than James, and he is also closing in on Gary Speed's all-time record of 521 appearances in England's top flight.

Portsmouth clearly have no concerns over his longevity with James, who will celebrate his 38th birthday in August, recently handed a new two-and-a-half year deal at Fratton Park.

Playing for England at the 2010 World Cup is his long-term aim, while in the short-term his focus will be on helping Pompey to FA Cup glory over Cardiff at Wembley on 17th May.

And to be voted the leading player of 2007/08 by his fellow professionals would provide the icing on the cake.

Gordon Taylor's verdict

It is a tribute to David that keepers are rarely nominated, but he fully deserves to join this elite list because he continues to be a top class keeper - the most consistent in the Premier League this season - and an excellent role model.