If we're looking for a quick fix, there will be younger, fitter and more motivated players made available for loan. He's 33 now, he'd probably be 34 by the time we got him into shape, so I don't think we'd get that much out of him. He won't be what he was however much NA can do. We should have Barnard back after the international break and we can also strengthen in January if we need to.
33 is not old for a player these days, just look at Dave Connolly and Kev Phillips still banging the goals in. As long as Beatts can get as fit as the rest of the squad and is hungry and motivated then this could be a good gamble. We don't know the reasons why it never worked out for him at Rangers but he has undoubted ability and sometimes certain clubs fit certain players.
He could be good when we got him into shape, but there are plenty of younger players out there who could do a better job in the longer and shorter terms. We are in a good position to attract players and have a bit of cash, so I think we should be setting our sights higher.
Was thinking about this last night. I don't think Connolly or Phillips can be considered representative of the average footballer. They are both small and nippy. Beatts was always the large and powerful CF type, who could hold the line, or charge through a body of defenders. In full flight, Beatts was able to cover some ground. Stopping himself was the problem..! If, and it's a big IF. Beatts could get back to a similar level of fitness and weight that he had in his Saints days, then I think he'd be worth a punt. And Saints would be the ideal place for him to do it, given our expertise in that area. Now that's me completely changing my mind from a couple of weeks ago. But it's only because I can see JB giving Rickie some backup and some direct competition. But only if he's really fit. Otherwise there'd be no point.
No - simply No. Egotistical and poor work ethic - not to mention lacking intelligence. Does not fit with how we currently play football and question his influence in the changing room. Could easily cause more harm than good - so not worth the risk.
We're not in absolute dire need of a striker. Lambert and Connolly are both fit, Barnard is likely to be back after the break and Lallana, De Ridder, Guly and even Reeves can play off/behind the main man. We can afford to take our time. I hear Maynard isn't too happy at Brizzle City. Not saying we should go for him in January, but he'd cost a lot less than the fees being talked about in the summer. He's much younger, much fitter and has a better recent record than Beattie. If you take off the rose tinted specs and forget about his previous with Saints, most of us probably wouldn't touch him with a ****ty stick. He's a player near the end of his career who isn't in great shape. We've done that before when we've been in dire need of players and right now we're not. I'm with Cortese on this one.
My brother and I were talking to Beattie in Southampton airport the Sunday after the end of the season and he was spot on. I had my arm round him for a photograph and he seemed in good shape...as BENT as that sounds...
Not sure if it has been talked about on another thread, but Beattie was at St Mary's yesterday... please log in to view this image
NA has already said that he doesn't know where these rumours have come from. Saints have not spoken to Beattie and he hasn't spoken to Saints. He lives near here and I'm not surprised if he wants to see the fantastic Saints.
Paul Watts, Saints official photographer took that pic and posted it on his twitter account before the match. Hence why I thought it might have been picked up for discussion already.
Well, that was what Nigel said on thursday, doesn't rule out that discussions then took place for the first time on Saturday. I doubt that Beattie would be wearing a suit if he was just taking in a game as a fan/neutral. I suppose he may have been a guest of someone who owns a box at SMS?
Well he doesn't look too out of shape to me, in fact he looks a bit leaner than when he played for us before!
May be misjudging the guy but feel that he might play the 'star'. Would he accept being Rickie's understudy?
