Blackie on Beatts

Last updated : 10 November 2008 By Jamie Furniss
Beattie took his tally to six goals so far this season, and despite being out for the opening stages of the campaign, he is United's current top scorer. Boss Kevin Blackwell knows what a big asset Beattie is to the team, as he explains below:

"James will admit that he cannot do it without the help of the team and the service from Webber for the first goal was superb. It was close-range but it was a strikers goal, all about reading play and being in the right place at the right time.

"Although the second was a penalty it was late in the game and there was a six feet four inch goalkeeper to beat, but he did it in style with power.

"James put in a real shift and he is getting to the stage where he is not far away in terms of fitness. He's now very experienced, knows what to do and is one of the most confident players I have ever worked on.

"He is happy here and the secret is that, like any player, he wants to be loved and appreciated - he knows what we think of him."