James Beattie could be on his way back to St Mary's

Rumours are doing the rounds that James Beattie could be returning to Saints should the club get promoted to the Championship.

He has had a mixed time since leaving Saints just over six years ago after eight years at the club, currently on loan at Blackpool its believed that he would welcome a return to the area due to the fact that he is married to a Southampton girl and she has strong ties to the area, Beattie himself has been a frequent visitor himself arranging the players Xmas party in Southampton at several of the clubs he played for.

He would be a good aquisition for a season in the Championship, although he is now 33 he is still big and strong and would be ideal to add depth to our attacking options, if we do get promoted we will nee a balance of youth and experience and Beattie fits the bill in the latter.

Of course he seems only to be able to do well at a Club that plays in red & white stripes, his time at everton was mixed, he rediscovered his touch at Sheffield United and was a potent force at Championship level for the Blades, initially at Stoke he did well in his return to the premier before falling out with Tony Pulis, at rangers injury has limited his opportunities resulting in a loan move to Blackpool,sadly for him this has coincided with the Lancashire club being in freefall and so thus far he hasnt exactly set the world alight.

This is of course a long way from actually happening and first Saints have to do their part and get promoted, but its good to see the football club once again being lnked with players of the class of Beattie.      

Photo: Action Images

rjh added 11:05 - Apr 11 Like a number of our big players over the years, they leave us, we get a decent bit of cash and they never quite reach the heights again. Personally, would welcome him back.
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squidofdespair added 11:11 - Apr 11 They come back to top up their already hefty retirement funds. Not taking anything away from past contribution to SFC from great/loyal players, but we don't want players on the downside of the curve. Nab em on the way up, not on the way down.
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st_mike added 12:28 - Apr 11 I would like to see Kevin Phillips back with us next season, he's always insisted that he was misquoted and didn't ever say he didn't want to play for us. He just seems to have a knack for scoring vital goals. He's a bit like David Connolly but seems to be fairly injury free. No disrespect to David Connolly intended.
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ThereIn76 added 13:15 - Apr 11 I couldn't see him being more than a bit part player for us next season, even if we're prepared to meet his wage demands. We should be looking at getting younger players in, so that we can build a side that can keep improving. Given a choice betwen keeping Oxo and selling him to bring in three over-30s, I'd say keep him.
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hortonsaint added 13:59 - Apr 11 Knowing his wife's family I can confirm that he would certainly like to come back and is prepared to take the cut in wages, question is whether he would be what we need and is he better that Rickie/Barney?
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schatfield added 14:52 - Apr 11 I would love to see Beatts back - maybe I am living on past memories, but he was fantastic for us before (with Ormerod) - he was never a pace player, so age wouldnt matter as much, more a power player and a great motivator (so i hear) in the dressing room. Those ingrediants are vital. If we could get on a free transfer, its worth a punt....
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