With the aid of a sports psychologist, Keith Power, the 6ft 5in goalkeeper scrutinised his lifestyle, fitness, diet and mental approach. He lost weight, worked on his fitness and strength and he employed a yoga expert to improve his suppleness. "I was interested in anything that might make even the most marginal improvement to my game," says James, who concedes that David Beckham's approach has also been a model for him "David changed the way I viewed practice. It wasn't just about doing enough to remain good, it was about getting better."Now he has secured that England position he craved, claiming his 17th cap against Croatia 11 days ago and performing with distinction, James does not intend to loosen his grip, although Robinson, Kirkland, Leicester's Ian Walker, Everton's Rich-ard Wright and Wolves' Matt Murray will have other ideas "My first target is 20 caps," says James. Seaman was always going to be a fixture hard to dislodge from the England framework, although his display for Manchester City at Ewood Park on Monday night suggested that the conclusion of his England career was none too premature.James, whose progress has also been punctuated by injury, had decided some time ago that he was not prepared to merely let fate take its course. Indeed, in that context, one can only compare James's situation with that of the former Spurs goalkeeper Pat Jennings, whose somewhat ambiguous reaction having been named Footballer of the Year in 1973 was: "How could I avoid it, playing behind our defence?"Neither does James, about whom Eriksson has issued a protection order despite his club's decline in status, have to worry about sliding into anonymity with West Ham in the Nationwide.Yet it has been a frustrating process, James having secured his first cap in 1997 when with Liverpool.
He was outstanding for West Ham last season, even if his rearguard offered him every opportunity to demonstrate that fact. His stature makes him a commanding figure, his clearances are positive and his aberrations are now relatively rare. Judgement should be postponed until the end of the qualifying campaign. But, for the moment, James, by dint of his experience and form, merits selection, although one suspects that in time Robinson or perhaps Chris Kirkland will usurp the 33-year-old.Certainly there is evidence, as James prepares for England's return fixture against Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday evening, that his more "calamitous" days are over. "Why David James - when a recent review of England's goalkeepers would have convinced most judges that Paul Robinson should have started?" was this observer's opinion then.So, presumably this is an opportunity to recant? Not yet.
But if needed, I'll always be there."Many were unconvinced by the recipient. Seaman accepted the inevitable yesterday when he said: "I've not been in the last two squads, so in my heart I know it's time for one of the younger players. The Macedonia game was also to prove David Seaman's last for England as possession was handed down to David James. Or, to put it another way in this battle of the eye-catching hairstyles, one England career was cur-tailed while another was up-braided. That was important."Those Macedonia and Australia fixtures were to prove a transitional period not only in Eriksson's fortunes - his teams have embarked on a six-match winning run since - but also in terms of ownership of the England goalkeeping gloves. But not as half as much as when we drew against Macedonia at home.
