Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

James glad window has shut

06 Sep 2009 - 16:41:50

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England goalkeeper David James is relieved that the transfer window has shut for the time being, so that he can concentrate on helping Portsmouth improve on a dismal start to the new campaign.

The 39-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from the south coast club on deadline day, despite the Fratton Park club insisting that no deals had been fielded.

James told The Observer: "Despite not actually going anywhere, it was still an intense transfer window for me because I knew many of the players involved in last-minute moves.

"It was the first time I'd ever been so close to the action and it did create a level of uncertainty among the players and staff.

"Every two minutes I was being asked 'are you going?'. It is a genuine relief to close that chapter and get on with the rest of the season.

"I know a lot of people are expecting us to struggle and I've hear the pundits say it is a foregone conclusion that we will be relegated.

"But I remember the same things being said the year I joined Portsmouth. It all feels a bit like starting over."