James targeting league rise
24 Jul 2008 - 11:02:48
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has warned his team-mates that they need to improve on their eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
England number one James helped Pompey to FA Cup glory last term, but he admits that league form is the way that true progress is measured.
He told The News: "It would be a bad season if we finished eighth. I would consider it to be something of a failure.
"Cups are wonderful, an incredible experience, especially the day after seeing 200,000 people at the parade. That sort of thing will stay with you forever.
"But the quality of your outfit is judged by your performance in the league and we have the opportunity to improve on last season.
"I signed for the club in the first instance with the objective to survive. Now we expect more than that. We are not that team anymore.
"The team is growing and learning. We now understand our roles and jobs within the team. There is still room for improvement, though.
"We can improve and we have to improve. Eighth again is not good enough. It would have to be better this time around."