Portsmouth keeper David James is confident that Portsmouth have done enough to secure their Premier League status for another year. But he also acknowledges that concentrating on the job in hand is vital if next season is to prove less fraught with problems.

 

The 38-year England international believes that the current points tally may well be sufficient for survival even though Pompey still need another win to reach the 41 point mark that many think will mean safety this season. With the bottom three of West Brom, Boro and Newcastle all facing tough challenges in the closing weeks of the campaign, failure to register a first win over visitors Arsenal may not be as vital as it could have been.

James said "We've got to try and get something from the Arsenal game - but with Blackburn and Sunderland coming up next there are two sides we actually need to get points from if we want a happy end to the season.”

Since the departure of Tony Adams and the improved form under the combined instruction of Paul Hart and Brian Kidd, Portsmouth have regained some of the vigour which saw them claim the FA Cup last year. But James knows this must continue if the club is to progress.