Portsmouth 2 Bolton Wanderers 3: James is upbeat despite gloom

14 September 2009 10:35
Dwindling gates, a hastily cobbled together team and, to cap it all, the worst-ever start in their 111-year history. To hear David James speaking positively about Portsmouth’s future was certainly a surprise. You might have expected the England keeper to cut a frustrated and disconsolate figure as he offered his opinion in the wake of Portsmouth’s fifth straight defeat. Yes, there was plenty of gallows humour. Do Portsmouth deserve to be at the foot of the table? ‘Yes, because we haven’t got any points.’ The crowd seemed a bit more up for it today? ‘It was a nice sunny day.’ But James, back in goal after a knee injury, saw signs in the defeat by Bolton to offer hope that many a pundit’s favourite for the drop this season might have enough to survive. ‘I think we’ll be all right,’ said the veteran keeper. ‘I’ve seen enough in the team to suggest the talent and the quality is there. I’m optimistic. It’s better losing 3-2 than not being able to score. We just have to put it together in the right order and get the results.’ But much work lies ahead on the training field to eradicate the errors in the new-look defence. Going forward, however, Portsmouth look a decent proposition. Harry Redknapp’s best parting gift since decamping to White Hart Lane may just turn out to be allowing Jamie O’Hara to go to Fratton Park on loan until January with an option to stay until the end of the campaign. Bolton’s opener from Tamir Cohen was down to sloppy defending. But goals from Younes Kaboul and Kevin-Prince Boateng, on his debut, should have been enough to earn a point given the dubious nature of Bolton’s penalty converted by Matty Taylor and the fact the former Portsmouth midfielder appeared to be offside as Gary Cahill headed home the 89th-minute winner. As Taylor said, Bolton’s need for their first three points of the season outweighed the sympathy he feels for his old club’s predicament. He said: ‘I don’t want to see Portsmouth suffer, but I have to look after No 1 and that is Bolton.'

Source: Daily_Mail