Portsmouth 0
- 2 Man
City
87 mins:
David
James accepts his share of the "guilt''
for Portsmouth's plight - but believes the majority of the blame
lies squarely at the door of former manager Tony
Adams.
James will set a new record of
536 Premier League appearances when he runs out against one of his
former clubs, Manchester City, at Fratton Park.
But although he is immensely proud of that achievement, James
insists he is more concerned Pompey revert to their old strengths
and repair the damage done under Adams.
James believes Adams was too soft and never gave the players the
guidance and even the dressing downs they needed.
He is encouraged by speculation linking Sven-Goran Eriksson with
the job and has been lifted by the appointment of coach Brian Kidd
as an assistant to caretaker manager Paul Hart.
But after just two wins in 16 league games under Adams and a
position just one point above the relegation zone, James admitted:
"I think the time was right (to change the manager).
"We're all guilty as players for individual mistakes which have
cost us, but as a team we were not set up to replicate what we did
last season.
"Players don't pick the team and individual mistakes are
obviously to blame to a degree, but when that happens time and time
again things have to be said or else people get used to it and take
it as the norm.''
FA Cup holders Portsmouth were seventh in the table when Harry
Redknapp left after a heavy defeat to Braga in the UEFA Cup, and
early signs under Adams were promising - including a 2-2 draw with
AC Milan.
Star players Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra were sold in the
transfer window but James added: "We are still basically the same
team as in the first half of last season and we've still got enough
quality to stay up.
"I certainly don't want to go down to the Championship because I
did it before with West Ham, but we've got only 14 games to save
ourselves and need strong management.
"It is a strong-minded team here but all players need guidance.
They need to be told what is expected of them and what their role
is.
"You need somebody who is going to address situations that have
been repeated this season here on numerous occasions.
"It has to be said it has been a little bit quiet on occasions
when we lost matches that we really shouldn't have. Things were not
great, I think it's fair to say.
"When we've lost some games in the past Harry (Redknapp) has
come in and torn strips off everybody. He would let off steam and
maybe sometimes apologise the next day but you needed that.
"Yet now teams are running through us sometimes and we've looked
vulnerable, whereas last season we nearly always looked capable of
getting a 1-0 win or a goalless draw and we were not scared of
anybody. We've got to be like that again.''
During his 22-match tenure, Adams claimed on several occasions
he had given his team strong criticism, but outwardly his first
real sign of emotion came when he kicked out at a water bottle
after Liverpool's second equaliser last Saturday.
Reminded of that, James said somewhat cryptically: "That's a
start I suppose.
"And, yes, there were words said after the previous game and it
has happened before but I don't consider it is my job to go effing
and blinding at people, even though sometimes I have done. Somebody
has to do it, though.
"When I'm working with England, Mr Capello never hesitates to
let you know just what he thinks and you need to hear that.
"I've played every England game for him but there is something
wrong somewhere if I'm England number one and have still let in 42
goals for Portsmouth.''
Pompey remain optimistic of landing Eriksson despite his focus
on steering Mexico to the next World Cup finals.
James admits the Swede does not exactly have a reputation for
verbally blasting his players into action.
But he added: "Some managers I've had were not renowned for
being vocal but have had a team around them who are.
"I don't know who is coming in but names have been mentioned.
Sven is not one for ranting and raving but he makes it clear that
what he says is what he means. There is no ambiguity with him, he's
straight down the line.
"Now we have a number two here (Brian Kidd) who worked with Sven
in a very successful partnership for a decent amount of time and I
would argue that if Portsmouth want to continue in the old
(ambitious) vein, they should appoint a manager who suits
that.''
