Characteristically, David James shaved his head this week. I use the word
‘characteristic’ because James is no stranger to making bold statements - both on the field and off it, and the Pompey stopper has had many demons over the years which needed to be cleared from his head. Last Wednesday at Wembley they were back, and this time it may have hammered another nail into his England coffin. Whilst some may say that at 39 the time has come for his international career to be put to bed, James himself undoubtedly has other idea’s.
As Premier League supporters, over the years we have felt that watching David James prowling his penalty area’s up and down the country has been a viewing akin to voyeurism - through gaps in our fingers for James rarely has a bland period. This applies during his many years extensive top flight experiences.
Despite displaying a model consistency for Portsmouth during his later years, our impression of him is tainted and we never ever breathe easily when the outspoken, inward-focussed keeper is the back man in an England shirt.
Liverpool were the first side to spot his ability, purchasing him from Watford during the early 90s. They were also the first side to fall foul of his inconsistencies. James proved far too fragile for the top level at that age, a man unable to handle the pressure of the big games he became known as a man always likely to drop a cross. He was a consistent exponent of the mistimed punch and was given the mantle of Calamity James in the process - an unfortunate title for someone so determined to grow into a big reputation.
Despite this, he got chances elsewhere - at Aston Villa and lately, definitively at Portsmouth and on the back of these years he went through a number of personal transitions - bizarre hairstyles, dress senses and TV appearances did nothing for his reputation as a strong, focussed footballer - more a modern day figure of underachievment. It is this view that will always put the man in the limelight as a moot point. Top class or not? Talented enough or just the best we have? These are two very different things.
David James has not been shy in calling for an England spot. Many were of the view that he deserved to be Erkisson’s number one. He outspokenly echoed this view personally, however Sven didn’t agree. Now, the sands of time have shifted so much - Paul Robinson is fragile, directly harmed by the McClaren era. Scott Carson followed a similar path - not good enough for Liverpool and the casualty of that dreadful night at Wembley against Croatia last year. Then we have Robert Green, seemingly out of luck and out of the coach’s eye. Ben Foster needs first team football and Joe Hart is too young and inexperienced - risking him now would be throwing a Christian to the Lions. One bad game would ruin everything.
Therefore, we turn again to the hugely experienced James. A man who has battled media backlash, some horrendous bouts of ill-form and a persona that makes manager’s pull their hair out. Persuading him to stay in his penalty area is like training a puppy to sit - Both have great enthusiasm but a mind of their own - both to his credit and his detriment.
Despite all this however, he is the current England goalkeeper and Fabio Capello is hardly spoilt for choice currently. It would be a brave man to opt the Portsmouth man out. We have been promised that Capello is both brave and tough - two things he will need to be should James’ England career be over. The time should be now, but maybe the new hair will provide yet another timely new era after all…
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