I met James outside the players exit at Valley Pirade after Villa had drawn 1-1 against Bradford City. The keeper had not played that day due to injury but he was still in good spirits as he emerged. He quickly signed an autograph with his signature smily face and after making an even quicker comment he left for the bus.
The personality of the man seemed to me to reflect his stature on the pitch. He was commanding and upbeat. He would of course have to be jovial after all the criticism that has been thrown at him. The 'Calamity James' tag is harsh to say the least. He may have made some mistakes but doesn't every keeper?
The reason the big keeper makes mistakes is because he comes for more bslls than any other. He commands his area more than any keeper I have seen at Villa Park. He may have been blamed for the goal which won Chelsea the F.A. Cup at Wembley but those who laid the blame at his door forgot that he had got us to the final. James saved two penalties in the semi-final against Bolton.
Since his departure in 2001 Villa have struggled for consistency in the number one jersey. The list of replacements is hardly impressive. First there was Peter Enckelman (Blues player of the season in 2003) then Peter Schmeichel (a not so wonderous one season wonder). He was followed by Tommy Sorensen (near post nightmare) and currently Scott Carson (a shot stopper who stops little).
The consistecy has not been there whilst James has become a cult hero at Fratton Park. He may be 37 but he has aged well and England still turn to him solve the keeper crisis.
On Saturday Villa might just see what they have missed.