silverfox
Well-Known Member
It's nice to see one of our players talking about his chances with England ....from the Yorkshire Post.............
Sheffield United's new signing James Beattie claims he has 'unfinished business' with the England team.
The former Everton and Southampton striker won the last of five caps for his country three years ago, but is adamant that his international career is not yet over.
After a nightmare spell at Goodison Park, Beattie joined the Blades last weekend in a club record £4m deal and should make his debut in Saturday's opening game of the new season against Colchester United.
While his initial priority will be scoring goals to shoot the Blades back to the Premiership, Beattie also wants to catch the eye of England manager Steve McClaren and return to the international scene.
"I have never played outside the Premiership before, but I hope this is going to be one step back to take three steps forward," he said last night.
"I wouldn't say my international career is over; it (playing for England) is still a very realistic target and one I have definitely not said goodbye to."
Beattie was drafted into the England squad by former manager Sven Goran Eriksson after a string of impressive performances for Southampton.
He made five international appearances and subsequently joined Everton in a £6m deal in January 2005.
After a good first season, his career has stagnated with Everton manager David Moyes signing England striker Andy Johnson from Crystal Palace last summer and both James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe emerging from the junior ranks.
But Beattie, now 29, points to former Preston North End striker David Nugent as proof that playing in the Championship could still bring international honours.
"I am not saying that I'm going to do this or that, but I know that I have to get it right here. I got into the squad because I was scoring goals and David Nugent showed last year that you don't have to be with a Premiership team to play for England.
"I have never been one to doubt my own ability and – although the football didn't go too well last season – I was Everton's top scorer 12 months ago and was getting touted to go to the World Cup."
Reflecting on the frustrations of life under Moyes last season, Beattie said: "You would have thought the signing of Andy Johnson would have given the club a partnership that could have thrived and been very positive for the club, but it wasn't to be.
"The gaffer saw fit not to play me that often. That's how football goes sometimes. The fact that we never got the chance to play together was pretty disappointing.
"I wanted to get back in the team, but I just didn't get the chance. I was always fit and I didn't miss more than a week or 10 days of training. I kept a good attitude and I have been complimented on that by people at Everton.
"When you're not playing and frustrated, it is sometimes easy to lose your head and go off the rails, but I think I stayed focused. I have no regrets about joining Everton because it was an opportunity to play for a great club."
Blades manager Bryan Robson now has plenty of options in attack, but it will be a major surprise if Beattie is not paired with another of the club's summer signings Billy Sharp in the opening games of the season.
Beattie is clearly excited about the season ahead.
"I have got a smile back on my face, I feel good, and I am positive this is going to be the start of something big for myself and Sheffield United," he said. "We are here to achieve Premier League status. The gaffer says he doesn't want a tense nailbiting season, he wants us to really kick on. I can't wait for it to start."
Former Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard has landed a new one-year deal with the Blades after originally being told he was surplus to requirements.
The move follows the collapse of a proposed swoop for Trinidadian international Jan Williams due to problems obtaining his work permit.
Gerrard, 34, will again provide cover for first-choice Paddy Kenny and reserve team goalkeeper Ian Bennett.
Sheffield United's new signing James Beattie claims he has 'unfinished business' with the England team.
The former Everton and Southampton striker won the last of five caps for his country three years ago, but is adamant that his international career is not yet over.
After a nightmare spell at Goodison Park, Beattie joined the Blades last weekend in a club record £4m deal and should make his debut in Saturday's opening game of the new season against Colchester United.
While his initial priority will be scoring goals to shoot the Blades back to the Premiership, Beattie also wants to catch the eye of England manager Steve McClaren and return to the international scene.
"I have never played outside the Premiership before, but I hope this is going to be one step back to take three steps forward," he said last night.
"I wouldn't say my international career is over; it (playing for England) is still a very realistic target and one I have definitely not said goodbye to."
Beattie was drafted into the England squad by former manager Sven Goran Eriksson after a string of impressive performances for Southampton.
He made five international appearances and subsequently joined Everton in a £6m deal in January 2005.
After a good first season, his career has stagnated with Everton manager David Moyes signing England striker Andy Johnson from Crystal Palace last summer and both James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe emerging from the junior ranks.
But Beattie, now 29, points to former Preston North End striker David Nugent as proof that playing in the Championship could still bring international honours.
"I am not saying that I'm going to do this or that, but I know that I have to get it right here. I got into the squad because I was scoring goals and David Nugent showed last year that you don't have to be with a Premiership team to play for England.
"I have never been one to doubt my own ability and – although the football didn't go too well last season – I was Everton's top scorer 12 months ago and was getting touted to go to the World Cup."
Reflecting on the frustrations of life under Moyes last season, Beattie said: "You would have thought the signing of Andy Johnson would have given the club a partnership that could have thrived and been very positive for the club, but it wasn't to be.
"The gaffer saw fit not to play me that often. That's how football goes sometimes. The fact that we never got the chance to play together was pretty disappointing.
"I wanted to get back in the team, but I just didn't get the chance. I was always fit and I didn't miss more than a week or 10 days of training. I kept a good attitude and I have been complimented on that by people at Everton.
"When you're not playing and frustrated, it is sometimes easy to lose your head and go off the rails, but I think I stayed focused. I have no regrets about joining Everton because it was an opportunity to play for a great club."
Blades manager Bryan Robson now has plenty of options in attack, but it will be a major surprise if Beattie is not paired with another of the club's summer signings Billy Sharp in the opening games of the season.
Beattie is clearly excited about the season ahead.
"I have got a smile back on my face, I feel good, and I am positive this is going to be the start of something big for myself and Sheffield United," he said. "We are here to achieve Premier League status. The gaffer says he doesn't want a tense nailbiting season, he wants us to really kick on. I can't wait for it to start."
Former Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard has landed a new one-year deal with the Blades after originally being told he was surplus to requirements.
The move follows the collapse of a proposed swoop for Trinidadian international Jan Williams due to problems obtaining his work permit.
Gerrard, 34, will again provide cover for first-choice Paddy Kenny and reserve team goalkeeper Ian Bennett.
