We played James pretty much as a central forward yesterday.The problem IS pace though - him and Allan in a midfield 3 is just too slow which leaves either Doucoure or Gbamin with too much to do defensively.
I think to allow James to play central you need a Gana type who just buzzes around sweeping up.
Its the whole Gomes argument - the fella tries he just can't do the required pressing/running in this league.
Allan can do exactly what Gana did in terms of buzzing about but then you need someone to be disciplined next to him - and yes that would take away from Doucoure's game.
Then again mate, our main issue is we are incapable of playing out from the back because we don't have a single midfielder, bar Davies, who is capable of getting the ball off the defence and turning out with it, and Davies can't carry it well anyway.
James has the quality which makes the difference. Get the ball into him in the areas he can do damage. We need another midfielder because we lack anyone who can play deep and actually get on the ball.