Source: Daily_Mail
David James: I can still match my hero Zoff and pull on the gloves for England
David James began his quest to emulate Dino Zoff 27 years ago. An electric shock had not deterred him then, so why should Robert Green now? [LNB]When Zoff won the World Cup as a 40-year-old in 1982, James was 11, cutting lawns to raise the cash to buy a pair of goalkeeping gloves bearing the name of the Italian legend. [LNB] Thinking of England: David James insists he is happy to fight for his place in the national team ahead of next year's World Cup finals in South Africa[LNB]Next year, less than a month after the World Cup final in Johannesburg, James himself will be 40 and Zoff continues to provide inspiration. [LNB]'Great gloves,' said James. 'Black and white, Uhlsport, classics they were. I bought a pair when I was a kid. I saved up all my grass-cutting money to buy them. [LNB]'I got an electric shock on the day Manchester City played in the FA Cup final, if I remember. But that's another story.' [LNB]This story concerns Fabio Capello's most pressing selection issue of the week. Does the manager remain loyal to Green, who made mistakes for West Ham last weekend but did little wrong during the last five England games when James was missing through injury? Or does he revert to the senior keeper, who is still not as fit as he would like after summer surgery and who had his confidence tested by Portsmouth's seven straight defeats? [LNB] 'There's always been competition,' said James. 'Rob has come in and the team have continued their winning streak, and it's a testament to the standards Mr Capello has set. [LNB]'I've no expectations. When I first got back in the squad I wasn't expecting to play.' [LNB]The pressure is off Capello in a sense thanks to England's early qualification for the World Cup finals. He can play a man-management card by keeping faith in Green despite his reservations, and then giving James a run against Belarus on Wednesday. [LNB]'If he doesn't want to change the winning formula I accept that,' said James. 'But, at the same time, without causing any issues, I didn't turn up for the squad not to play. I'm hungry to play.' [LNB]Green and James appear to have seen off the challenge of Manchester United's Ben Foster, at least for the time being, but the message from England's management is clear: the goalkeeping position is up for grabs and here begins the audition process. [LNB]'I don't watch that programme,' said James, when his situation was likened to the X Factor. 'I'm more of a Frasier man.' [LNB]Veteran hero: Dino Zoff[LNB]But he accepts all English goalkeepers are under intense scrutiny. [LNB]'Unfortunately, we let goals in,' he said. 'You either classify a goal as the goalkeeper's fault or a bit of brilliance. Believe me, some of the "brilliant" goals you talk about are down to bad goalkeeping. I'm not going to tell you which ones, though.' [LNB]James is far more comfortable after the latest developments at Portsmouth. 'What a difference a week makes,' he said with a sigh, in reference to missing pay-packets, a first win of the season and a second takeover in as many months. [LNB]For James, this upheaval was complicated by the first operation of his long career. He opted for surgery to mend long-standing shoulder and knee problems at the end of last season, which then delayed his start to the new campaign. [LNB]He declared himself fit to play for England against Slovenia and Croatia last month but Capello did not select him as James was unable to train fully. [LNB]'At the time I thought I could play, but fair enough,' said James. 'If that's what the manager wants, if that's how he runs his ship, then I accept that.'[LNB] Ukraine v England live! Sign up to watch the match with MailOnlineThe return of Avram: Portsmouth reappoint Grant as director of football Pompey saved! But does anyone know who Ali Abdullah Al Faraj actually is?PORTSMOUTH FC
