David James - hard to figure out

[Indefatigable]

This is not a Blame David James thread, although he played his part, but I just do not understand his approach to the game.


When he was interviewed after going to City - he said he had no idea of their position in the table as he didn't read about football. I did think he must have been tongue in cheek, but as I think about it, it fits in a pattern.

I don't think he is interested in the game. he is just someone who has a superb natural athletic ability who ended up in goal. He is not a student of the game, and so I don't really think he is interested in making himself the bast player he can be. When the golfing buddies on the beeb talk about needing someone (usually the goalie) calling the defence out - you shouldn't expect James as I doubt he has enough interest to take on the role.

He is a bright enough bloke (although from Football Diaries not as bright as he would like to think he is), but he has no real interest in the game, and in being the best.

I once heard that Stephen Hughes (currently out of contract at Charlton I think) was a player who actively disliked the game - he was just good at it.


I thought David James was not a player for the big occasions, and I am afraid neither is James. The search for the top keeper needed to win competitions continues.

 

[Northstander]

I felt he had a good game, The people I am people off with is Beckham and that cheese eating, clock making W*****!!!

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

he has allways been a very good shot stopper just his catching, i thought his new punching rather than catching idea worked well.
However he is still going to make the odd howler every 3 games or so

 

[Marshy]

Chris Kirkland please get fit and play regular for Liverpool !

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

could be worse walker could be playing

 

[pasty]

There does seem to be a lack of good English keepers at the moment. Looking just at Premiership first team goalkeepers, there are only five Englishmen. Thats 3/4 of the teams having foreign keepers.

English ones are James, Bennett (Birmingham), Wright (Everton), Green (Norwich) & Hoult (WBA)

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I always thought in goalkeeping we would be ok
with walker wright weaver all coming through and being really good but through injury and loss of form we have been struggling
It looks like its happening again with kirkland.
Lets hope robinson does not get the spurs illness

 

[On the Left Wing]

Think it's time to groom Paul Robinson and Nicky Weaver (when he's fit) for the 2006 World Cup

 

[Sonic The Hedgehog]

I agree with Marshy - Kirkland is the future.

He's just so injury prone.

 

[Dave the OAP]

GET CUDDICINI IN

 

[Don Tmatter]

All together now - 'IF JAMES CAN PLAY FOR ENGLAND, SO CAN I'

 

[Beeneys gloves]

Nicky Weaver is absolutely shocking, hes just a younger version of Walker!

Kirkland or Robinson are the way forward, but apart from that there is precious other talent. If only someone like Anti Niemmi was English!

 

[London Calling]

NICE BLOKE. THAT'S ABOUT IT.

LC

 

[saltash seagull]

he just didn't get near to any of there penalities

 

[El Presidente]

Think it's time to groom Paul Robinson and Nicky Weaver (when he's fit) for the 2006 World Cup

Bit old for grooming aren't they, should you not be going for the Portslade U-12 keeper OTLW?

 

[Pavilionaire]

James has to go, the sooner the better.

This tournament has shown he has:

1. No command of his area
2. No control over the defence in front of him
3. No special talent when it comes to penalties or free kicks and
4. No ability to "psyche out" the opposition at penalties.

I would then go with Robinson on the basis that he can't be any worse than James, with Kirkland as No. 2, although I have to say that we have a keeper crisis the like of which I've never seen before.

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

He went the wrong way for every penalty I think, even the chipped one!

 

[fatboy]

You cannot blame him for not saving penalties.

But now we have two years of playing qualifying games we should win. It is time to blood someone else.

Although other than Kirkland (always injured) and Robinson (at Spurs) I cannot think of anyone else good enough.

Not sure if Bywater is going to be good enough.

 

[Nobby Nomates]

Ben Roberts

 

[Easy 10]

He went the wrong way for every penalty I think, even the chipped one!

That chipped one was so slow he had time to dive, get up and walk back to get it.

James is an absolute liability. My heart was in my mouth every time a cross came in - 9 times out of 10 the bloke is just glued to his line, and its the same with free kicks.

WHY does he never put a defender on the post ? We saw with Zidanes free kick what a difference it could have made. Now I know its easy in hindsight, but there were at least two other free kicks after that during the tournament that whistled past the post, with James once again just standing there with his fingers crossed. On target, and he was nowhere near it.

A keeper needs to inspire confidence, but he does nothing of the sort, he does the exact opposite. If I'M shitting myself every time a ball comes over, imagine what it must be like playing in front of him.