choda
15th October 2009, 07:48 PM
As we know Harry just thinks this guy is the bees knees and the best keeper in the premier division.
SO, when we sign him in January (because both will want the move) do you think it is a good move?
And do you think he will deserve to be ahead of Gomes? Bare in mind that James is pushing 40 when you answer these questions.
My opinion is he is still, remarkably, a fantastic keeper. I never fancied him but in his mid-thirties he suddenly became very reliable and there were hardly any gaffs, despite the fact that he comes for nearly everything. And he's a brilliant shot stopper with the best physique for a keeper in world football. Huge presence too.
Some people see gaffs and think a guy isn't a good keeper. But how do you quantify how many goals they prevent by coming for every ball?
Keepers I know always told me James was a class keeper. They always liked him, even when I didn't, I thought he was a bit too error prone and a bottler. But I did start to like him as he got better in the last five years and I can't remember the last time he crumbled under pressure (for England for example). He seems to be mentally much better.
He's also still as fit as a fiddle. There's probably two more good years in him when you look at his continuing agility and rock hard abs. The man's ripped.
I like and rate Gomes as a top keeper, but James has been particularly excellent under Harry for the last few years at Pompey. I think there is a bit more in James right now and Gomes can learn and become better as he reaches his indian summer. Keepers like them tend to get better with age and experience. And Gomes is a much better keeper than James was at the same age imo.
What do you think?
SO, when we sign him in January (because both will want the move) do you think it is a good move?
And do you think he will deserve to be ahead of Gomes? Bare in mind that James is pushing 40 when you answer these questions.
My opinion is he is still, remarkably, a fantastic keeper. I never fancied him but in his mid-thirties he suddenly became very reliable and there were hardly any gaffs, despite the fact that he comes for nearly everything. And he's a brilliant shot stopper with the best physique for a keeper in world football. Huge presence too.
Some people see gaffs and think a guy isn't a good keeper. But how do you quantify how many goals they prevent by coming for every ball?
Keepers I know always told me James was a class keeper. They always liked him, even when I didn't, I thought he was a bit too error prone and a bottler. But I did start to like him as he got better in the last five years and I can't remember the last time he crumbled under pressure (for England for example). He seems to be mentally much better.
He's also still as fit as a fiddle. There's probably two more good years in him when you look at his continuing agility and rock hard abs. The man's ripped.
I like and rate Gomes as a top keeper, but James has been particularly excellent under Harry for the last few years at Pompey. I think there is a bit more in James right now and Gomes can learn and become better as he reaches his indian summer. Keepers like them tend to get better with age and experience. And Gomes is a much better keeper than James was at the same age imo.
What do you think?