Pompey's shining light can conquer the world stage
Many have deserted the sinking ship, fleeing at the first sign of taking in water.
Not Jamie O'Hara.
After being rescued in January, the combative midfielder remarkably opted to return weeks later in a lifeboat to help bail Pompey out.
Now both the Blues and the 23-year-old are reaping the rewards.
What's more, Paul Groves is convinced O'Hara's Fratton Park performances can provide the leg up to eventually achieving England recognition – despite the midfielder revealing in last week's News that he would consider playing international football for the Republic of Ireland.
Not that any Pompey fans would disagree with the first-team coach's bold prediction.
In his nine matches back since returning from Spurs, the midfielder has been a revelation.
Such has been his extraordinarily consistent level of performances, he's playing even better than his first loan spell which came to a natural end in January.
Even in Tuesday night's dismal team showing against Birmingham, he shone the brightest and created Kanu's consolation goal.
And as far as Groves is concerned, former England under-21 star O'Hara has the ability to go all the way into the senior set-up.
He said: 'Jamie enjoys playing football and that's credit to him.
'He came into a situation where he knew it was going to be difficult but he knew he got a good opportunity to put some games under his belt and play some football.
'That's what he wanted to do – and that's what he's done.
'Jamie has had a level of consistency of late in a number of games that has been of a high standard and he's playing in a position which gives him an opportunity to show his abilities.
'I think possibly the first spell has helped him.
'In that short period of time when he wasn't able to train with us, he's had a chance to reflect, look back on things, take the positives out of it, learn from it and come back better for it.
'Jamie's got a very good left foot and a good awareness of where people are.
'He's also got a good awareness of getting into areas that can hurt the opposition.
'His delivery from set-plays in general is of a high standard, while he also can be quite combative, as he showed in some of his earlier games.
'It's down to Jamie how far he wants to go. He's got all the attributes to go and play as high as he possibly wants to.
'I'm sure he can play for England.
'He's shown in his displays his ability and his qualities, so I am sure he can push on and try to get to that next level.
'Obviously, that takes consistency over a number of months and that is what he's tried to do.
'It's a big plus for Jamie that he's getting Premier League games under his belt and still of a young age.'
O'Hara made his England under-21 debut against Poland in March 2008, going on to win seven caps.
Yet the Spurs man is now over age and must instead look to the senior set-up for the chance of resuming his international career.
He has been linked with recognition with the Republic of Ireland and would be eligible through his family background.
In the meantime, he continues to excel on the Pompey front.
And Groves believes O'Hara is flourishing after adopting more of a central role since his Fratton Park return.
He added: 'Jamie has been playing in the centre and sometimes been given a little bit of a license to get forward and pick up positions that can hurt the opposition.
'It has enabled him to put in some good performances.
'I think Jamie has the qualities to play in a number of positions, this one at this particular time suits him.
'He's shown a versatility and shown some good displays along the way.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
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