Source: SKY_Sports
Grant return pleases James
David James has welcomed the news that Avram Grant has been appointed as Portsmouth's new director of football.
The Israeli coach is returning to Fratton Park for a second spell, having held a similar post at the South Coast club between June 2006 and July 2007.
He was then lured away to Chelsea, were he would ultimately become the Blues' boss, but he has been out of the game since leaving Stamford Bridge in May 2008.
There had been intense speculation suggesting that Pompey could be looking to bring bodies on board, with the club having been taken over by Ali Al-Faraj this week.
They have decided to leave Paul Hart in his current coaching role, but have reappointed Grant in an advisory capacity.
With Portsmouth having opened the 2009/10 campaign with seven straight defeats, prior to Saturday's 1-0 victory over Wolves, fresh ideas are likely to be welcomed.
KnowledgeVeteran keeper James certainly believes that Grant's experience could prove invaluable to the club over the coming months as they attempt to preserve their Premier League status.
"I love Avram, genuinely. What a great guy," James told Sky Sports News.
"When I joined the club he was there and he was very active in a lot of the preparation for games.
"He is a very wise man. His football knowledge is extensive and on top of that he is a good bloke, so it's a good move."
A summer of turmoil at Pompey, involving a long-running takeover saga and player sales, has been partially responsible for the club's slow start to the season, but that appears to have been laid to rest.
The new owners are now in place, while the club's staff have also been paid after a recent delay in the payment of their salaries led to administration talk.
Bigger pictureJames admits a lot of what has gone on at the club of late has not been positive, but he hopes stability can now be established under Hart, Grant and Al-Faraj.
"The non-pay issue was not good," he said.
"Dare I say it without sounding silly, the people who needed to get paid got paid so there wasn't too much strain on too many people.
"But it was about the bigger picture. If people aren't getting paid and the club are on the verge of an administration issue, it doesn't bode well for anyone involved with the club or for the Premier League that teams can get into that position."
He added with a smile: "We seem to have sorted that out now though and can now go out and beat Tottenham in our next match and push for Europe by Christmas."
