James still the no.1 - with Hart's praise

Obviously no one really knows what is true, some 'reports' said that David James could not wait to get away in the summer transfer window, others said we were forcefully pushing him towards the Fratton exit gates, either way James stayed at Fratton...

Other 'reports', again how true is anybodies guess, 'claim' that Paul Hart and James are 'barely on speaking terms' these days and have regularly been seen arguing, or 'exchanging words', again, either way James has stayed at Fratton...

Now away on international duty with England, and fighting to regain his no.1 spot in time for the world cup, Hart has leapt to James' defence and praised him - with what he told The News - for 'staying loyal' to the club when others did not: 'David stayed when others have gone. We understand why some have gone and we are desperately sorry that others have gone, but he is still here.

'His presence is crucial.'

I never had James pegged as one of the 'deserters', but it did seem around the closing stages of the transfer window that he was, and for that reason I was happy for him to go, if that was what he wanted?

Thankfully he did not, and I for one really do hope that his mind, which did seem to wonder, is firmly back on focusing for Pompey and helping us out of the mire - afterall if he does this it will only benefit him and help him reclaim his rightful place as England's no.1.

And England's no.1 is something that Hart firmly believes James is: 'he is the best goalkeeper in England and I think you can see that. You can see how he gives us a calmness and provides a backbone to the team.

'Our defending was excellent against Wolves and Jamo was a big part of that. He is England's No.1.'

There are 'pretenders' to the throne, but for me - and it would seem others given the results of the latest poll - James is clearly still the man for England.

How you voted - Yep, best English keeper around, simple as 90%, Nope, others have moved ahead of him 6%, Do not care, what he does here counts 4%

Other keepers that I thought 'would' come on, such as Ben Foster have not - in fact I think he has been poor this season for Manyoo. I have not seen enough of Joe Hart at Birmingham to decide, but a few moments I have seen of him have not always been that 'complimentary' this season.

Rob Green is the current no.1 but he still does not fill me with confidence as he has nowhere near as much authority of his area as James does, in fact I would say that Paul Robinson, who also commands his area well, is the one that is most threatening to James at the moment.

Although I firmly believe he will be our no.1 in South Africa, as well as being the keeper helping Pompey to safety...

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