He was not a lazy player for us. He was always running, back tracking, defending, as well as scoring. I cannot believe how some people view certain players, preferring only to remember them at their worst. It is true however, that after a particular crucial injury, after the FA Cup Final season, under which he played for half a season incidentally, he was never the same player for Saints after that. Then he went to find fortunes elsewhere, as Lowe & Co found £6M being dangled in front of them too tempting. To be fair, it turned out to be good business for Saints in the end. Wonder whose pocket that went into..?
BTW, I have read Gordon Strachan's book. There is no mention of Beatts having a bad attitude or of being of low intelligence. In fact, in one humourous quip, Strachan thanks Mr and Mrs Beattie for giving birth to James.
That's how I remember him too, not lazy but Beatts was a bit of a puzzle to be honest. I think it was all about confidence with him because he was so inconsistant. When he was on form he could score from anywhere and the ball/luck would run for him. He scored some absolute belters, anyone remember away at Sunderland from about 40yds?
When he was off form he was awful, his control was non existant and he would then go on long periods without a goal.
I guess Saints were more patient with him than the clubs that paid big money.
Oh, and although the Middlesbrough and Everton games were bad, the Villa game from that relegation season was the one that nearly made me self combust with anger.
