Portsmouth Football Club News

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

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

James stay delights happy Hart

04 Sep 2009 - 09:04:23

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Portsmouth manager Paul Hart has revealed that England international goalkeeper David James did not ask to leave Fratton Park this summer.

It was anticipated that the 39-year-old would be the latest in a long line of big-name players to leave Fratton Park in the last 12 months but a proposed switch to Tottenham on transfer deadline day failed to materialise.

However, Pompey boss Hart insisted: "I've had no conversations with David at all about persuading him to stay because I've never had to.

"He's never asked to move. So I'm absolutely delighted. He's the best goalkeeper in England, and to have him here for the rest of the season is a massive boost for us."

Meanwhile, Hart is pleased with the transfer dealings he managed to complete in the days before the window closed, particular those of Spurs duo Jamie O'Hara and Kevin Boateng.

He added: "Jamie O'Hara and Kevin Boateng were big for us. They were quality players and we worked hard to get them.

"It's been a real struggle for the last three or four months since May. But within the group I feel we've always been positive.

"We're not in the best position in the league. But they're hungry, and they feel they can help us turn this round."