Part 1 of 4

Welcome to part one of the Fratton Faithful Half-Time Verdict. (I know we're more than halfway through the league season but there's still the FA Cup to consider!)

This four-part feature discusses the role of every Pompey player in the squad so far this season, how well they've done and what they will be doing in January.

Part one focuses on the men between the sticks: The Goalkeepers.

#1 David James

What can you say about David James? There were a few Pompey fans who doubted him when he arrived with the unfair "calamity" tag to his name however those doubts were quickly erased.

From the very first game he played you could tell that Harry knew what he was doing when he signed him. He takes crosses with ease, commands his back four very well and can produce some fantastic saves. He has probably been our player of the season so far and winning the last two "Player of the season polls" on Fratton Faithful significantly would prove that the Pompey fans agree with me.

James has kept us in so many games this season with his brave takes and excellent shot-stopping ability. United and Chelsea could have put 8 past us if it wasn't for the former England number one and some of his saves have been world class. My favourite was his save from Gareth Barry's free kick when he flew from one post to the other to tip the ball round the post.

The only minor quirk in his play is that he occasionally makes the wrong decision and even less occasionally it costs us. He came out too far for the Watford and West Ham goals against us but even then he can't be fully to blame for those goals as Stefanovic and Campbell also screwed up respectively.

Time is against him now as he's 36 which means he probably won't be called up to the England side again as McClaren opts for youth but that will only benefit us so he can concentrate on achieving big things for Portsmouth Football Club.

Verdict: David James is the best goalkeeper we have had at Pompey for a long time and I think he could finish his career with us. I think he could play until he's 40 and still be just as good as he is now. He's been one of the best 'keepers in the league this season and it's a pleasure to know that he plays for us.

#15 Jamie Ashdown

Ashdown is held in quite high regard by most Pompey fans but I'm sure he'll admit that he won't be displacing David James in goal anytime soon. Ashdown hasn't had the best 2006. His first team place was taken from him by Dean Kiely in January and then once Kiely got injured, he did too! David James was brought in during the summer with Kiely as the original backup meaning that Ashdown went to Norwich on loan.

His spell at Carrow Road was unsuccessful as he was sent off in his second game and then couldn't find his way back into the team meaning he was sent back and hasn't played a game since. David James very rarely gets injured or misses a game so it's likely that Ashdown will be nothing but a benchwarmer for the rest of this season. However, if the opportunity arrives then he'll have to make sure he takes it better than he takes some crosses otherwise he might not have much of a Pompey career.

Unlike James, Ashdown has time on his side and can get better in the future. He's good backup to have just in case James does miss a game but he has a lot of improving to do if he's to realise his full potential.

Verdict: I think Jamie will stay until the end of the season at least as David James' understudy but at his age he won't want to be sitting on the bench throughout his career. He might have to leave Pompey, and even drop down a division if he wants first-team football but every club needs a substitute goalkeeper and we could do worse than Ashdown.

#33 Dean Kiely

You have to have a bit of sympathy for Deano. He was integral to our survival last season but has been frozen out of the picture since David James claimed the number one spot for himself.

He can't afford to be sitting on the bench at 36-years-old and has had his loan at Luton extended for another month so he can continue to play first-team football, albeit at a lower level.

Kiely is a decent shot stopper and can pull off terrific saves and command his defence quite well but he is not of David James' standard and I can't see him displacing the former England international.

Verdict: Deano just wants to play football so I think he will leave in January, probably for a Championship club. West Brom are rumoured to be interested and perhaps Luton will want him permanently. I'm sure all Pompey fans will be grateful for his contribution on and off the pitch last season and therefore won't begrudge him a move away.

#35 Nick Jordan

Not much is known about Jordan. He's a local lad, only 16 and yet can boast he's been included in the squad of the team he supports. I've briefly spoken to Nick and he says that he's keeping his feet on the ground and working hard.

It's impossible to predict if Jordan has a Pompey future or not. We need some promising youth, as Harry says and there's no doubt Nick will benefit from the goalkeeping coach we have here as well as learning from a former England international.

Verdict: Who knows? My crystal ball can't predict that far into the future! Will he be playing in the Premiership or the Conference in years to come?