The FA Cup is littered with examples of individual players carrying teams to glory.

In 1953 Stanley Matthews inspired Blackpool to victory in a Wembley final with a scintillating performance in the last half-an-hour of what would later become known as the "Matthews Final."

Chelsea striker Peter Osgood was the last player to score in every round of the competition when the Blues won the Cup in 1970. Ronnie Radford’s heroics for Hereford in 1972 and Ricky Villa’s goal in the 1981 final have gone down in FA Cup folklore as great individual acts which have had a lasting impact on the competition.

'David James was the difference in Pompey’s fortuitous win at Preston'


In recent years Ryan Giggs’ goal against Arsenal in the semi-final replay in 1999 and Steven Gerrard’s match-winning performance in the 2006 final against West Ham have proved that great players can still make a huge impact on a crucial FA Cup tie.

David James signalled yesterday that he may be in the form to carry Pompey all the way and write his own name in the rich history of the FA Cup. The former Liverpool goalkeeper was the difference in Pompey’s fortuitous win at Preston. He saved a penalty from Simon Whaley and then punched away a fine effort from Neil Mellor at 0-0 in the second-half.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper is in the form of his life. He has seemingly got better with age and is now probably the most important individual in a high-flying Portsmouth side. The quarter-final draw has given Pompey a difficult trip to Old Trafford in the quarter-final and James will have to be on his mettle if Portsmouth have any hope of getting to Wembley.

Despite what much of the mainstream media have claimed, the FA Cup this year has been a big disappointment and nowhere was this more clearly illustrated than at Old Trafford on Saturday. Manchester United rested Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs whilst Arsene Wenger decided to hold back a number of first-team players, including Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, with Emmanuel Adebayor coming on for the final 20 minutes.

It was the clearest indication yet, if any were needed, that the big clubs simply don’t feel the oldest cup competition in the world is that important, especially with big Champions League ties looming.

The FA Cup needs a hero, like Villa or Giggs, but if the big clubs don’t play their best players this is unlikely to occur. Barnsley, with the result of the tournament so far, featured brilliant performances at Anfield with goalkeeper Luke Steeleo seemingly foiling Liverpool’s every attack and Brian Howard’s late winner destined to live long in the memory.

Frank Lampard bagged two as Chelsea brushed aside Huddersfield and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was inspirational for Cardiff in their win over Wolves. After every round of the FA Cup a Player of the Round is chosen. So far this list includes the not-so-household names of Alfie Potter and Michael Mifsud. It appears we will be waiting for many years before a single player leaves their imprint on a tournament in the way Peter Osgood did in 1970.

Perhaps one of the current bigger name players will make a match-winning contribution in the latter stages of the tournament. With the FA Cup at yet another low ebb after the two best managers in the country seemingly afforded it none of the respect it deserves, the competition is crying out for someone like James to live up to his first name and shock a Goliath to bring some much-needed respect to an ailing trophy.