Everton's leading goal scorer is hoping to get back on the score sheet after two blank weekends and is looking forward to playing against former Toffee Marcus Bent.

Biffa says: "I think the target is always to win the next game that is ahead of you. If you win your games you climb the league, and if you don't you go down. I think a lot of people were talking about Europe and maybe that was getting a bit carried away because of the gap. But when you consider the position we were in in November when, according to a lot of people, we were certs to go down, we have done really, really well to get where we are.

Maybe people's expectations have shifted again, which is understandable. But we take a more realistic look at it. I think we missed the opportunity in the derby and we missed one against Sunderland, but the great thing about football is that the next week you can put it right and Charlton is where we will look to do that

Charlton are going along quite nicely, we have dipped in form recently a little bit, and we will be looking to pick it up again and get back on the front foot and go to the capital and get three points. I would have thought everybody would have expected us to thump Sunderland, we gave them a lot more respect than that. They came and they showed a lot of fight and a good amount of organisation now that Kevin Ball is in charge.

They dug out a result and we see it as two points dropped, we are not happy with a point but we managed to not lose the game. We were below par and we still got a point but we would have liked to have won the game.

I would have thought there could be some banter! Marcus is a great lad and we became good friends when he was here and he looked after me when I first came and I keep in contact with him and wish him the best before games, and he has settled in quite nicely down there. He got a goal against Chelsea in his first or second game, he has had a couple of weeks off with a back injury, he came into the side last week and hopefully he will be playing against us." (06/04/06)

Moyesy Is Great For Me

Biffa loves the way Moyesy has helped him since he's been at Goodison and is now in the form of his life and knocking at the England manager's door.

Biffa says: "The gaffer got me into his office a few times and told me to relax and not get anxious. He knew I was trying too hard to impress. The fact that I was the club's record signing was weighing down on me. But he kept saying he knew what I could do. He stuck by me and helped me through the difficult start. Now he's protecting me by not mentioning England at all. His man-management skills are superb. People think he's so intense but he's got a good sense of humour. He must have to wear some of those clothes he does, especially on Sunday morning TV!

I want to break the England front door down with a sledgehammer - or else sneak in through the back door. I've gone from having no chance to having a chance. Everybody now comes up to me and says I should be in the England squad. I'm enjoying my football. I'm playing well and scoring goals. I've worked tremendously hard on my link-up play and my pass completion is about 85 per cent for the whole season. I'm as fit, and feel as good, as I've ever been. If it was my decision then yes I'd be going. But it's up to Mr Eriksson of course.

I last played at home to Denmark over two years ago so it's been a while, but it's my dream to go to the World Cup. Even if I didn't start a game I'd love it. If I keep working hard, I've got a chance. Crouchie's too tall to fit into the beds so he won't be going to Germany. The fact that I'm smaller than him will help." (20/03/06)

Awesome

Both Moyesy and Stubbsey have praised Biffa for his recent displays, although Moyesy explains that he's had to kick him up the arse a few times in the office.

Stubbsey says: "He has looked awesome for us lately. Marking against him, he looks fitter, he looks stronger, he looks hungrier, he has got the bit between his teeth. I think from the time I left to the time when I came back, I think Beats looks a completely different player."

Moyesy says: "I am sure Sven is taking an interest, and he should do with someone scoring goals in the top flight. I've told James there is nothing he can do apart from keep playing at his best, keep doing his work - and I can see the effort he is putting in. He's been in on his days off doing extra training, and he has got it between his teeth at the moment that he is going to keep his form up and put pressure on the people who make the decisions.

I would always hope there is more to come from James, as I do with all my players. There is more to come, he will get better. His goals tally is good but I am always greedy with him, I want more. I am always pushing him for more. But when he was at Southampton he was getting more goals than this, well into double figures, and that is what I want from him here. He must get to those levels, minimum, if he wants to impress me. But his form has been good and he is heading in the right direction - and hopefully there will be more goals to come.

He's a confident boy with plenty of self-belief. He had a difficult start here and clearly needed a run of games to get himself up to what he wanted to be. It has made him feel much better. We bought him to help us qualify for the Champions League last season, we needed another striker. But he didn't make the impact we had hoped for, even though he did play his part in getting us into Europe. I told him it would take him a few months to get where he should be - he needs games to get up to speed - and he is at last showing that form and is bang on his game now." (19/03/06)

I Love You Too Biff

The mutual admiration society of Mikky Arteta and Biffa Beattie has kicked off again, this time with Mikky claiming Biffa is good enough to join up with Rooney, Beckham and co., and be on the plane to Germany this Summer. The pair have hit off a great understanding on the football field, and if they keep playing the way they have been, it all bodes well for the Blues.

Mikky says: "Of course James Beattie has got international ability and now he is starting to score goals. You can see in training the type of goals he can score. He needs to keep going and he will get a chance because obviously if he keeps scoring goals he (the England boss) will have no choice because he will take the best strikers in England. Beats is doing really well and if he keeps doing that he will have a chance to go. It is really uncomfortable to play against James because he is so strong, he can turn and he can shoot and he is always chasing people. He does a very good job for us. James can hold the ball very well. I thought he did well on Saturday - that can give the team a breather and sometimes that is important." (15/03/06)

World Cup Ambitions

Sven was at West Ham on Saturday. Biffa did his chances of getting on the plane to Germany in the Summer the world of good with a great display and a goal in front of the England manager.

Biffa says: "All I can do is keep playing well for Everton. It's not for me to say whether I deserve a place No matter where you're playing, or what you're doing, of course you harbour ambitions. I'm just trying to keep my head down, do well for Everton and if I miss out I will be disappointed but I will just have to get on with it.

I'm happy playing my football and scoring a few goals. If that's good enough then great. Phil Neville has been in every England squad since whenever, so obviously he's disappointed. Obviously there is nothing he can do. He would be a great asset and he's a good player. He took it quite hard and everyone rallied round him. I told him he will still go. I didn't think I would be in the squad so it's different for me." (06/03/06)

Biffa's Earnt His Stripes

Biffa is hoping that his improved Everton form will catapult him into the England reckoning when the first squad of 2006 is announced this weekend for the friendly against Uruguay. With Michael Owen out, and the Giraffe from shitsville not exactly banging them in at the minute, it might be a good time for Sexy Sven to let Biffa add to his five caps he has already got. But because he does not play for manure, Chelski and The Arse, it might work against him. Sour grapes, you bet it is.

Biffa says: "As I have always said, the priority for me is to play well for Everton Football Club and hopefully I am doing a bit of that now. I am really enjoying my football at the minute and I have never given up the dream of playing for England again. But that is a decision that is out of my hands. I will just keep playing football with a smile on my face whether it happens or it doesn't." (24/02/06)

FA Ask Questions

Biffa has been asked for his version of a story which appeared in the Daily Mail. The comment they are concerned about is when Biffa allegedly said: "It was 14 against 10." Meaning there were 11 Blackburn players plus the 3 officials against the 10 men of Everton. He has not been charged by the FA as reported in some places. (17/02/06)

Hollybops

Biffa Beattie joined his team mates today as they jetted off on a mid season break to Florida (tough life isn't it). Moyesy picked Valentines Day to whip his lads off to the sun away from their loved ones, for a recharge the batteries holiday.

Biffa who has now scored eight goals this season, is happy off the break, but would have much rather been playing in this weekends FA Cup.

Biffa says: "We would like to continue playing and it is unfortunate that we are off. We are out of the FA Cup but maybe it gives some of the lads a chance to refuel, get their energy up and come back and play in two weeks.

I said a couple of weeks ago that we were on a good run and that nobody would get carried away, talking about Europe. We just like to get on with our job, nice and quietly, and take each game as it comes. It's a cliché but that's what you have got to do. You can't harp on about what you could do. If it happens, that's when you can say 'that's what we have worked hard all week for'. We are going out to play football, and getting results at the minute." (14/02/06)

Proud

After another fantastic performance from Biffa, he says he is proud to be an Everton player. I have just seen his goal on Sundays MOTD. I seen it last night, but have you tried to watch the telly at 11.00pm with 15 pints down yer neck, one hand over your eye and wobbling all over the place like an MFI wardrobe.

Biffa says:"It was a strange game. To start off with we knew it was going to be a hard game to go down to 10 men after 10 minutes was an even bigger blow but I could see in the lads eyes they were mad up for the game and they didn't half put a shift in today. We got through a lot of work and there are a lot of workers in the side. But they are talented footballers as well and we put in a great effort.

"I am very proud to be an Everton player after that game."

"Iain is a fantastic goalkeeper and I have no doubt whatsoever his time will come. It is unfortunate that just 10 minutes into his debut he gets sent-off but he will be back and the lads will help him through it. I am sure he will make a lot more appearances for Everton."(12/02/06)

Moyesy Keeps Biffa Injury Quiet

Apparently Biffa injured a thigh muscle during training in midweek. Moyesy knew he was out of the Chelsea game, but kept it quiet. Everton will now check Biffa's injury on Monday to see when he can return.

Moyesy said this last week: "I am keeping it to myself. I know what the situation is but I am keeping it to myself." (29/01/06)

Biffa For England

Moyesy reckons Biffa could force his way into the England squad, as long as he keeps fit and scoring goals.

Moyesy says: "James has started to look like the player everyone thought he was a few years ago. I think he can challenge for the England squad. He needs to score goals and show that he can be the alternative type of striker that England have, and I think in the squad that an alternative is required. He needs to play well for Everton first, before anything else. He is more mature now than a year ago, the way he is acting around the place, his training, and he is trying to encourage people around him. There is more maturity coming into his play." (28/01/06)

Whose Laid Off The Pies

Cup fever is certainly gripping everyone as the Champions visit Goodison this weekend. No more so than James Beattie, who has laid off the pies of late, and in doing so has become a force again up front. Biffa tells the fans that if the players give the attitude and commitment that they showed against the Arse last weekend, Chelski at least will know they have been in a match.

Biffa says: "My fitness is now a weapon I use and it is great to have it. It is a big part of my game. The crowd here are tremendous and if they see you giving 100% they will settle for that.

Everyone gives 100% but then there are special players within the team that are very talented. The mixture of the two is a great formula to have and that has been helping us to perform in the Premiership.

I will be expecting to play Chelsea. They are the champions and I know they are an absolutely fantastic side. We will be up against it again. It's another easy one after Arsenal. But we will be stood there in front of them, 11 versus 11, and that will be it. We ground Arsenal down, we didn't give them a minutes' peace and everyone was brilliant." (27/01/06)

Luvin' It

Biffa ended the game with a cut under his eye, but it was worth it as Everton got the 3 points. He thrived up front on his own against Pompey due to him getting himself fully fit. Our fans loved it. Pompey fans didn't.

Biffa says: It is hard playing up front on your own. You've got to do extra running to close the keeper down and so on, but if it helps us gain possession then it's worthwhile. The lads see it and are aware of it, and I like doing it, it's a big part of my game. I have tremendous fitness now and it's a weapon I like using. I know if there is 15 minutes to go and I'm feeling a little tired then the centre-back I'm up against is going to be knackered.

I'm playing some good football. I'm retaining the ball miles better and getting some goals. More consistency with my goalscoring would be fantastic but I'm sure that will come. Playing the one up front, you are also going to score goals by flooding forward which is what we did in the first half.

When you play that formation you get your goals from the likes of Tim playing behind and the likes of Kev and Ossie breaking from deep. I'd play wherever but I know what my job is and I like it. It was a great result. It was a real six-pointer. The pitch didn't help either team and it was a battle. In the first half we won it - in the second half came a rally from them, which was inevitable, and we weathered that. The two centre-backs were brilliant. Matteo has only played a few games since his injury and he played really well. He was strong with his headers and the centre-backs are shaping up well at the back.

We were saying before the game that maybe it wasn't the best time to play them. Every game is hard but with four new players coming in it lifts the crowd and team, so to win here was a great result. It's a long way for the fans to come. They sell out their allocation everywhere we go. We saw a few of them on the way to the ground and they are absolutely crazy. The lads love it and we really appreciate what they do and that's why we sometimes throw our shirts to them. It was a big result for us. We were looking for three points and that's what we got. They did their part and they are always there and singing and it's great for us.

I knew the fans would give me stick but I thrive on that and it makes you feel as though you want to play better. I love it. It's to be expected, although now that I've moved from Southampton I thought they might have treated me a bit better but it didn't work that way. I went up for a header and someone has clobbered me with their knuckles. If Tim would have ducked, I would have scored and I wouldn't have got this cut!" (16/01/06)

Super Fit

A super Fit Biffa will bang in loads of goals for Everton.

Moyesy says: "I think James is beginning to get something like the form we hoped for when we brought him here. I remember Gordon Strachan telling me when I was trying to sign him that if you get him super-fit he can be almost unplayable at times, he can be that good. I don't think he is quite there yet but I think he is getting more like it. Everybody is beginning to appreciate his workrate but he has to improve.

He has missed some chances which has disappointed me so hopefully he is going to add to what he has got to get to double figures and hopefully beyond that. We have been pleased with his contribution and he has grown into it, taking more responsibility as far as the team goes.

I have always said at Everton that if you put in a good shift they will applaud you. We want to give them technical players as well, but if you work hard the supporters will give you that back. James is getting that part of his game right and hopefully the goals will come as well. We must have all been chasing something that was right so suddenly James Beattie does not become a bad player. If he had signed for Aston Villa or Tottenham or one of the other clubs we might have been sat here thinking 'I wish we had got Beattie'. All those clubs can't be wrong." (14/01/06)

Away Goals Rule

Biffa would like to start scoring more goals away from Goodison, and he believes there is no better time to start than at his old rivals, Pompey on Saturday. With a hot reception awaiting the ex Saints man assured, Biffa believes he can use it to his advantage, and start hitting the onion bag.

Biffa says: "Fratton Park is never an easy place to go, I'm sure from a personal point of view I will get a very warm reception from the fans. We will be looking to go down there and get a result, without a doubt. I would like to score for the away fans that follow us, they are tremendous when we go away from home, they were again on Saturday at Millwall. It will be a treacherous time for them down there but I would like to start getting some away goals. You never want to be just scoring your goals at home, you want to be getting them home and away, so there is no better place to start then Fratton Park.

I am as fit as I have ever been and I think that is showing in the performances. I am enjoying my football, playing with a smile on my face all the time. It is a lot easier to play when you are getting results, but there is the other side - when we are not getting results we have to dig in and fight for what we can.

It is a hard place to go and they have got a new manager, Harry Redknapp, and he has made a few signings, and got them believing in themselves again, and they have got a couple of good results. The Den and Fratton Park will be equally as abusive, I'm sure, but it helps if the fans are giving you stick, because you know they are worried about you. It is one of those places where you are definitely going to come in for stick. That gives you a confidence boost because they wouldn't be shouting abuse at you if you weren't going to do anything in the game - they must be worried about you. You have got to shut them up and the best way to do that is by scoring goals and getting a win with a good performance." (12/01/06)

More Goals

James is determined to put the effort into every minute he plays and that will mean he will scores goals. It's what we all want.

Biffa says: "I know I can make it as an Everton centre forward.There are a lot of people who believe in me and some people who are not too sure about me at the moment. But I'm certain in my mind that I can prove them wrong. I want more, the gaffer wants more and I'm sure the fans want more. I can score goals anywhere.

"I have proven that and it is just a case of getting on the scoresheet on a more regular basis myself and getting more points on the board for the club, that's the most important thing. I have enjoyed every minute of being here, even though there have been hard times. It's a fantastic club and I'm very proud to say I play for Everton. It was one of the best days of my life when I signed. But since I have come here, it has been very frustrating. It's been a testing time but I feel as if I've come through it."(04/01/06)

Shit Pen

As long as it went in, we don't care Biffa. Just keep it going. With the effort your putting in you deserve it.

James says: "It wasn't the best pen, I suppose it was a pretty bad penalty and Thomas Myre has made the save. We have been wanting that bit of luck in the past few weeks and thankfully it came back to me. Fortunately it did come back and I managed to slot it in the bottom corner."(03/01/06)

Goals Start Coming

He's taken some stick since he's been at Goodison and rightly so for some things, but one thing can be said about Biffa is he doesn't hide. He works his socks off. He has now scored 4 goals in his last 12 starts. Not great, but who else looks like scoring in the squad? He could have had a bag full in the Derby, if he had a little bit more composure and luck. This season he has played up front on his own then with Ferguson, Bent, and McFadden. Biffa needs a striker he can play alongside. Lets hope he gets one in the January sales. (30/12/05)

Chomping At The Bit

Biffa can't wait for the derby.

Biffa says: "I am chomping at the bit now, I am fit and I am playing some decent football so hopefully I can make my mark on the derby. The good thing about football is that you always get a chance to put things right and we have only had a day to wait for that opportunity after the Villa game. My ideal unselfish derby day would be for anybody to score and us to win because I know what that would mean to everybody. But a selfish one would be for me to score the winner.

It is hard to take losing two consecutive games by that margin. But as I have always said, it is not about how you get knocked down, it is about how you get back up and how you react to those defeats. We are hurting, it hurts the players, the gaffer and the fans - everyone. It is our responsibility to put it right. We will find out about ourselves as players and people this week. It is certainly a test.

Obviously we lost 4-0 and it is not a result we wanted at all. We have four games over this period and we wanted to get off to a good start - that is not the start we wanted. But we have got to get on with it. The derby is a massive occasion in Liverpool. You only have to walk through the city to know what it means to the people. I have only been here nearly 12 months and I know exactly what it means. And if we can win or get a result against Liverpool I am sure people will start to forget what has gone on in the last few weeks. It is a huge game and I am sure every one of the lads will be mad up for it and everyone will give it everything they have got. I would like to think form counts for nothing in this game. Liverpool have an excellent record in their last eight games. But people say form goes out of the window in the derby. Hopefully that will be the case and we can get the result." (28/12/05)

Fan

Heavy head O'Leary is still a big fan of Biffa. Let's hope James can show the Villa manager why he chose Everton instead of Villa by putting one in their onion bag.

O'Leary says:"James Beattie is a good centre-forward. He has taken time to settle in at Everton but I'd still love James here. He is a good player. He will settle down once he gets his injuries behind him and prove a real strong target man that people can feed off. He is a good player. He will settle down once he gets his injuries behind him and prove a real strong target man that people can feed off. He gives the team a physical presence. He will always get his fair share of goals but gives more to a team than just that quality." (26/12/05)

England Squad Here I Come

Biffa still thinks he can get in the England squad for this Summer's World Cup. You can't knock the lad for confidence.

Biffa says: "I haven’t given up hope of going to Germany. If I keep playing the way I am at the moment, and start scoring goals like I know I can, it could happen, I’m just going to keep my head down, play well for Everton and see what comes of it. If I go on one of my scoring runs, it will be hard for Mr Eriksson to ignore me. It might not be that hard, but at least I’ll put myself back in the frame." (12/12/05)

Well Played Mate

Biffa Beattie has had a glowing endorsement of his performances of late, of no other than future Everton Skipper Phil Neville. Phil has been impressed with he way Biffa has led the line, and the work rate the striker is putting into matches. Keep up the good work boys.

Phil says: " He's led the line, playing upfront by himself. Centre forwards can so often be the ones who win you the game, whether or not they score. James is getting his fitness and confidence back now and he looks the part. We were all very pleased with our victory over Blackburn who are, by the way, one of the most improved teams we've played against this season. They passed the ball unbelievably well and, in people like Bellamy, Bentley and Pedersen, they've got real threat up front too." (06/12/05)

You've Got It All

Alan Irvine has known Biffa since he was a kid at school. He reckons he's got it all and the goals will come. We hope Alan is right and he just hasn't got a crush on Biffa.

Alan Irvine says: "He looked like a young Alan Shearer at the time. I'm not saying he's identical to Alan Shearer by any means, but he always scored goals, he was very powerful, he was particularly powerful going down the right-hand side, and I always described him as scoring 10 candidates for goal of the season. He's done that since he was a kid.

He had a lot of things going for him - he was something like the second best swimmer in the country as a kid and actually only came into football after suffering a shoulder injury. I started doing coaching at the school and I started doing coaching at the Centre of Excellence at Blackburn as it was then, and it just so happened that James was one of the players there. The head of sports actually said you need to have a look at this lad.

There was another lad called Dan Leeming who was at Everton at the time, and they were the two best players by a long way. We got them on trial as an under-15 schoolboys, and we then talked them into leaving school. When we first talked to his dad about it, his dad said he was going to be a surgeon. That was the level of James' academic ability. It's always difficult dealing with lads who are a bit low because you don't want to add to it by continually having big long chats.

But you try and keep their spirits up as best you can without making it look as though you're having a meeting with them. You don't want to exaggerate anything, you just want to make sure that you're there for them as and when they need you. We feel that if we can get him on the pitch enough times he will continue to score goals. The return he has got for us has been good but unfortunately the number of games that he's played for us hasn't been good. The thing is he was never injured as a kid. And he's not an old man so it's not as if he's beginning to suffer from years and years of knocks and so on.

He came with an injury to start with and then was always battling with injury, one thing after another, and the suspension after the sending-off against Chelsea, all the time. He's had his injury problems and if he can get through all of that by training and playing on a regular basis we'll see that he will score goals for us, I am certain of that. James is one of these lads that whatever sport he picks up he seems to do well. He's a bright lad, he's a good-looking lad, he's got a lot of things going for him. And of course he's confident.

He's always scored goals and he's continued to do that as a professional player. I think now he's starting to get his power back, which I felt was probably missing after all the breaks due to injuries, and that was one of the things he always had. He always had a fantastic shot with his right foot and he was a great leaper - and he's shown signs of that in recent weeks. Three in five starts is a terrific return and if we can get him on the pitch he will score goals." (21/11/05)

Gotta Have Faith

Everton skipper, Davie Weir has given Biffa a pat on the back.

Davie says: "We have never doubted him for one minute. First and foremost, the thing with Beats is that everyone loves him as a lad. He has come here and settled in well and all the lads really like him. We knew he'd do well. We know what he is capable of. It has been a tough start for him, mainly down to the injuries and the bad luck that he has had. As a professional, you want a bit of stability and you want to get a continuous run of games."He's not really had that. But hopefully now he is in the team and he is starting games and scoring goals he will continue to do that. All the ability is there and once he gets that bit of confidence, he will go from strength to strength.

The players respond to that work rate. Beats has always done that regardless of whether he has been scoring or not. That's the minimum requirement to get into our team. When you do get in, you have got to give us that. From the first minute he has done that and the players have warmed to that. If we get 11 players doing that and working as hard as he has done, then I don't really think we'll be far away." (10/11/05)

Twenty A Year Man

With three goals to his name this season, and currently Everton's leading goal scorer, Biffa Beattie is setting a target of twenty goals for this season. A bit ambitious some might say, but if he achieves his aim, he is looking to force his way into the England World Cup Squad. Me thinks if the giraffe that is Peter Crouch can have a shout, maybe it is not so daft that Biffa has a chance.

Biffa says: "I think that you should always set yourself targets. At the beginning of the season, the benchmark is maybe 15. But I've took it up a notch and I have got to aim for 20 goals a season, if you're a striker that's the aim.

Hopefully if I keep my head down and play well for Everton the goals will keep coming and get Everton up the table, then if an England call comes again it will be a tremendous bonus. There is always time and I haven't given up hope and I'm pretty confident in myself. All I can do is keep trying." (09/11/05)

Thanks a Million, No Six

Biffa Beattie says his goal against Boro yesterday was the start of his repayment to the players, the manager, but most importantly the fans. Biffa who has come in for a fair it of criticism since his £6m move from Southampton, is now showing the form that propelled him into the England Squad a few seasons ago.

Biffa says: "I feel I owed the supporters something because they have stuck by me and showed me tremendous support, as has everybody at the club. The lads, the gaffer - I owe everybody and hopefully this can go some way to repaying that. A couple of fans had asked me if I could get a goal for them and my celebration was saying 'is that okay'?

We have been working hard in training and saying we need to get back to what we were doing last year. That is working hard and working for each other. Going back to basics really and that is what we did.

It was just a case of carrying on the momentum of the last couple of weeks and some great performances and we did that. It was a great result to carry on our recent form and to do it in front of our home fans is tremendous because nobody likes to play badly or lose at home. We want to turn Goodison back into the fortress it was last year." (07/11/05)

Biffa Will Come Good

Ex Everton legend, and World Cup Winner Alan Ball is tipping great things from Biffa now he is free of injury and getting a run in the side. Bally who watched a lot of Biffa's games when he was down on the South Coast, knows what the hit man is capable off .So it will be nice when the fans see a bit of the form that Moyesy forked out £6m on, starting this week against Boro.

Bally says: "James just needs a run in the side and to get games under his belt to get back to full fitness. The goals will come. I know a lot about him from his time down here on the south coast with Southampton. I know what he is capable of when he gets a run going and the goals will come. That is the one thing we have been lacking this season. It has been worrying to see Everton in the position they have been in at the start of the season but the last two results have been great. Now they need to build on that. James is back in the side now and he will get better and stronger with every game he plays." (03/11/05)

Leave It Out Biffa

Chelski windbag Jose Mourhino is having a pop at Everton striker Biffa Beattie. Biffa apparently is telling the Premiership how to play against Jose's boys, after he starred against them last weekend. Jose has not took to kindly to this, and he is telling Biffa to worry about Everton's plight rather than Chelsea's. Biffa, he may be a Portuguese windbag, but me thinks he has a point.

Jose says: "He should be worried because he has been at Everton for one year and has scored two league goals. He should be worried with that, not what Chelsea are doing.

James Beattie had one touch of the ball in 90 minutes. He scored from the penalty spot. It was a beautiful penalty, no chance for the keeper. It was an important shot. But other than that he didn't touch the ball." (29/10/05)

Immense

Moyesy was delighted with the returning Biffa's display against Champions Chelski on Sunday. Immense is how Moyesy describes the forwards input in the game. He was also chuffed to bits with the pairing of Dunc and Biffa as well.

Biffa thinks he has plenty of goals in him, and hopes to get a place in the starting line up against Boro tomorrow.

Moyesy says: "The front two gave them problems, Duncan with his aerial ability and James because of his persistent hard work. He was immense. It took him a while to get up to the speed of things in his first game back after injury, but once he did he put in plenty of effort. That is something you can never hold against him, the effort is always there. Then he was brave enough to want to take the penalty. We want people who want the ball and want to stick it in the net and hope-fully now James will deliver the goods when we get him as fit as we possibly can."

Biffa says: "There are plenty more goals in me and hopefully we can get some more on Wednesday. I'm certainly okay for Wednesday. I was pretty tired towards the end on Sunday, but I was still running. It couldn't have been affecting me that much, unless I was just running on pure adrenalin! But I want to play every game. I've started three and scored in two of them, but 20 minutes into the United match it was another injury. But they're behind me now. I'm quite confident about that. I just hope to get better from here." (25/10/05)

Bruise Brothers

Big Dunc and Biffa produced a great display leading the line. Biffa likes the partnership.

Biffa says: "We are a pretty powerful pairing and pretty unique in that respect. On Sunday Chelsea changed their team to cope with it and that says a lot in itself. It gives credit to our team and Dunc himself. It's strange playing off a target man but it does give you a greater amount of opportunities during a game. I like it. Obviously Duncan gives us physical presence and puts himself about, which I like doing as well.

Dunc wins 90% of the headers he goes up for. It is just up for me to start reading them if we are who the gaffer picks and we can start creating more chances and scoring more goals. We have to build on that and I have no doubt we will. The spirit we showed today to bounce back from the disappointment at Tottenham last week, when we played well for 60 minutes but suffered from one or two mistakes, was tremendous. We just thought it was a great opportunity for the team to put a stop to Chelsea's run and, more importantly, turn us around - which I've no doubt we will do now we are getting all our players fit." (24/10/05)

Penalty King

Even a bit of stick from the Chelsea players, didn't put Biffa off when taking the penalty for Everton yesterday.

Biffa says: "It was massive, obviously we're bottom of the league and not doing very well after eight games, but I think we showed what we are made of today. To be fair Chelsea had a lot of the possession, probably 70 per cent but we sucked it up at the back. I thought we did really well today and the fans were brilliant.

There are two contrasting feelings between last season's match and this obviously, but I didn’t feel any pressure on the penalty. Their players were trying to say stuff to me, but you just concentrate and then just step up and take the penalty like you do in training. It’s a great start for us I think we can build on this performance. It was a great performance from the lads and hopefully we can get some more points and climb the table and there’s no doubt with the talent in the dressing room we will do."

Moyesy says: "I thought by the end, his effort and work rate was everything we had hoped he would give us when we signed him. What we want him to do now is to get more goals. He wanted the penalty and he was brave enough to take it and he stuck it away. I still think he has a bit to go in terms of fitness, but he was the one player out there who at 90 minutes was happy to be running about on empty." (24/10/05)

Start Scoring

Biffa hopes to start against Chelsea and then he can get a run of games together, then the goals and then points will follow. Easy isn't it?

Biffa says: "It has been difficult for me, but there is only one person who can put that right and it's me. I intend to do that this season. I have had fans knocking me all my career and I have always come through the other side and proved them wrong, that is what I intend to do again, that's the only way. You hear what people say, what the papers say, so it is up to me to prove them wrong again. I don't feel under pressure. Not the club either, there are only eight games gone. I can remember a situation at Southampton when we had three points from 12 matches and still stayed up, so this is not as bad a position as I have been in before.

I just intend to start scoring and getting us some points. The manager has been cool and calm about it, he has not been edgy and has tried to stop the players getting wound up. Nobody is expecting us to win against Chelsea, we go into the game on the back of a bad set of results, but they are there to be beaten, that's how we feel. We need to be realistic this season. With all our players fit we will climb the table and two wins will put us 13th. It is ridiculous to start talking about relegation so soon.

We are only the target for critics because we have gone from playing Champions League football and now everyone says we are going to be relegated eight games later. I don't think we will be, but we have to knuckle down and get ourselves out of it. It is a challenge, a personal one and a team one and you must get the best out of yourselves. If we get a couple of wins there will be no more talk of relegation this season." (22/10/05)

Beattie For England

Even though he hasn't scored in the league this season and has only started 1 game, due to injuries, Moyesy believes Biffa can get into the England squad for this Summer's World Cup.

Moyesy says: " James has a chance. When he is fit and has a run of games to score goals. When you look at the England forwards, besides Owen and Rooney, who are there?

He came off in the reserve game last week and only started training with us on Thursday. Generally, his all-round athleticism and fitness isn't bad but it's his lack of match-play. He needs a couple of reserve games. But he's getting thrown in just now because we need a goal. If he'd had another day or two training, he might have been a consideration for a start against Tottenham. But we need him to get a reserve game or two under his belt and then get a run in the team. We'll put him out when we think he's ready and fit to give us what he's got." (17/10/05)

Talking A Good Game

Everton's £6m signing Biffa Beattie is saying somebody is in line for a right good seeing to. We hope he was talking about a football team and not his bird.

Biffa says: "There are goals in the pipeline and somebody is in line for a right good seeing to, to be honest. The sooner the better as far as we are concerned so we can push on from there. There are only seven games gone and if we get two wins we will be mid-table. It is not panic stations yet - we just need to keep doing what we are doing, believe in what is right and we will start to climb the table, scoring goals and the good times will come back.

It is a fact there have not been enough goals. We are man enough to admit that but we will create chances and we will start scoring goals because there are goals all through the team. Tim can score, Mikel can get in with his free-kicks and when I am fit, which is hopefully very soon, I can start the ball rolling and we can get some impetus from there.

Faddy has had a good week this week scoring for his country and hopefully he can come back and score a few goals for us. Fergie will always be in the mixer and Marcus has tremendous pace and a lot of great attributes - he just needs to use them at the best times and he will score lots of goals."

So there you have it. Easy isn't it. A 5-0 win against Spurs tomorrow then. Time to start scoring instead of talking. (14/10/05)

Injured Again

Biffa had an eventful night playing for the rezzies last night. He scored within 3 minutes and then came of injured after 23 minutes.

Head Physio Basil Rathbone says: “James felt his calf tighten up after 15 minutes and he tried to run it off. But he was still feeling some discomfort so he was sensible enough to come off the pitch. It looks like a relatively minor calf strain though it is too early to say whether he will be available for Spurs. (07/10/05)

Biffa's Challenge

Biffa may be a surprise selection for tomorrow night's mountainous challenge to overcome Bucharest in the UEFA Cup. The £6m striker has had a stop start time of things since his move from Southampton last January. Biffa is aware that a lot of responsibility lies on his shoulders, and if he were to get the goals tomorrow to push Everton through to the group stages, he would go a long way to paying off a chunk of what looks like at the moment, his over priced transfer fee.

Biffa says: "That (responsibility) has been the case since I have got here and I haven’t been able to show anybody that I can handle it. When I come back this time I want to have a run of games and start scoring and showing everybody what I can do. The gaffer brought me in to score goals and I have always said that is what I can do. One goal, or two or three could set it off and hopefully we can progress from there and not undo what we did last year.

It is very hard to watch football games at the best of times. But with things the way they are it is even harder. I want to get out there and help out. That is not too far away and I feel pretty good in the training I am doing and hopefully I can carry it on.

Moyesy says: "We have been short of real competition all season up front. James has only started one game, and scored one goal, and that is what we are desperately short of at the moment. We will see how he is after a couple of days training but there is a possibility we may need him to sit on the substitute's bench." (28/09/05)

Out of Europe

After playing 45 minutes for the reserves, it was looking good for Biffa to be ready for the Eufa cup tie in Bucharest, but he has a sore toe, so he's been left behind to get more treatment at Bellefield.

Moyesy says: “James played 45 minutes for the reserves last night. We thought he needed a bit of match practice, he has been out for four weeks. He feels his toe still isn’t right and we will now need to give him the required rest to get himself right. We didn’t expect it because he trained Thursday, Friday last week. He wasn’t ready to play but because of a lack of numbers we put him on the bench and he got on. He trained Monday and Tuesday and we put in the reserves for half the game but he still doesn’t feel it is right, so there was no point in bringing him.” (15/09/05)

Outside Chance

The two week International break, has given Biffa Beattie an outside chance of making the squad for tomorrow's vital home clash with Pompey at Goodison. Biffa has resumed training, and will more than likely make the bench if he is given the green light.

Alan Irvine says: "Obviously the break has helped because the injured players are a couple of weeks further down the road to recovery. It hasn’t got too many of them back available for selection but James Beattie is back training which is good news and hopefully there will be no reaction." (09/09/05)

Road To Recovery

Biffa Beattie although unavailable for Sundays visit to the Reebok, is battling his injury quicker than expected. Beatts was expected to be out for some weeks, but there is an outside chance he may make next Wednesday's crucial Champions League tie in Spain.

Basil says: "James has done some very light jogging today. He obviously has a sore toe and is extremely doubtful for weekend." (19/08/05)

Sidelined

Although Biffa will be out for a few weeks after his injury in the defeat against Man ure, scans show he sustained heavy bruising, and not the break everyone had first feared. Everton's medical team took X Rays this morning, and Basil is happier about the strikers injury than on Saturday.

Basil says: "James went for a pre-cautionary x-ray that has revealed no fracture. He has badly sprained his toe joint and we anticipate that it could be some weeks before he is fit to play again." (15/08/05)

The Ties Not Over

Biffa scored Everton's only goal against Villarreal and looked fit and in the mood and he thinks Everton can go to Spain and win.

Biffa says: "I'm never short on confidence. People around the stadium and the staff will tell you that. But it's always nice to score goals, the fans have stuck by me and I intend to pay them back this year and for the next few years to come. I've always said when I get fit I'll produce some great performances and I'll score goals but unfortunately tonight it wasn't enough. I felt really good, I felt fit and I was trying my best to get the team going again.

I don't think for one minute the tie is over. I think we showed a lot of potential tonight, they don't like it when you get about them. Any player can look good with time on the ball. Even though they did keep it quite well we did create chances so we can take that and try to implement that in the second leg." (11/08/05)

New Signing

Biffa Feels Like A New Signing. He looks like one with his Blonde wig.

Biffa Says: "I hope this will be a new start for me. The whole of last season was stop-start for me and, to be honest, it was a disappointment to myself and to the fans how things went from January. Football is all highs and lows, there is never a happy medium. It's all extremes. The high point last year was joining this club and then the lows of the suspension and injuries followed soon after. I never made the impact I, the fans or the gaffer would have wanted.

"I don't think anybody expected me to settle in immediately anyway, though. That is the feedback I've been getting from the fans, they seem to regard me as a new player for this season and with this qualifier against Villarreal and getting into the group stage of the Champions' League it is a very important time. People are looking at me as a new signing and that's how I regard myself. It was the highlight of my career when I signed for Everton and I know if I can stay fit I will score goals. The rest will take care of itself."

"I'd had a few bad seasons with severe injuries before, but everything happened at once last year. The suspension took eight weeks to complete because of internationals and FA Cup rounds that we weren't involved in after being knocked out by Manchester United. It could have been over within a week if we had games on the Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, but it dragged on so long. For those first three weeks of the suspension I was training morning and afternoon, working really hard, and then at the end of the suspension I injured my calf.

"Over the course of a season you achieve what you deserve and I think we are happy giving recognition amongst ourselves rather than wanting any from outside," Beattie said. "The gaffer praised us for what we achieved last season, as did the chairman, and obviously our fans were happy. I think a lot of neutral fans were happy that Everton clinched that fourth place as well.

"What we did offered hope to everyone else. People can say it's a one-off if they like, but look at the predictions at the start of every season, they are mostly always wrong and most people had Everton to go down last season. For a team to be written off before a season has even started and respond by claiming the fourth Champions' League place illustrates that point.

"There is a feeling that we are Champions' League players now. The lads deserve tremendous credit for what they achieved last season and within the club, and within the game, they have got it. I've spoken to a lot of players from other Premiership clubs this summer who have been delighted at what Everton have done and have wished us all the best for getting into the Champions' League. They are pleased another club have shown the way.

"It means expectations have gone up, absolutely. We have to rise up to that level now and from what I've seen from the Everton fans if we give it everything, they will be satisfied. There should be that expectation at a club like Everton."

"If I can recreate what I did at Southampton then I know the Everton fans will love me. If I can get the No 9 shirt here and start doing what I did towards the end of my time at Southampton where I was captain and scoring goals freely, and I know I can, everything - the price tag, the expectations on an Everton No 9 and the problems of last season - will disappear." (09/08/05)

Fantastic

Biffa has been saying how great the fans have been last season. Just score a couple of goals lad, and then listen.

Biffa says: “People often talk about the crowd being the 12th man but with our crowd it is like having 13 or 14 players in your side. They were absolutely magnificent last season and always stuck behind the lads. Obviously, we didn’t get off to the best of starts last season on the opening day but the lads dug in and the fans stuck by them. Then towards the end of the season when it looked more and more like we were going to get a Champions League spot the support home and away was absolutely tremendous. It was like having extra men on the pitch.

When you have that passion from your fans it trickles through on to the pitch when the players need it. If we are on top and playing well the fans are always going to be behind us.But when things are not going too well and they are still on your side we find it is a massive help. Of course it makes a difference when you step out on to the pitch at Goodison and it is packed. It makes you so proud to be wearing the shirt and in front of the people who love it. With all the fans behind you it can give you a massive lift.

The Manchester United game last season was one of the best atmospheres I have ever experienced. I think that was down to the local rivalry and it being such a big game. We played really well that night. But the week before I signed the side played Portsmouth at Goodison and Ossie scored in the last minute. After seeing the fans that day I thought ‘Oh my god’. It was different from Southampton and they were just going mad for the lads and encouraging them to score. When Ossie did score they went ballistic and I just thought, I have got this to look forward to.” (03/08/05)

I'm Your Man

With the lack of first team opportunities last season, due to injury, suspension, and a huge dip in form, Biffa Beattie is telling the Goodison faithful that he can be a new Summer signing for us. The £6m striker signed from Southampton last January, by his own admission, has had less than the start we had expected, but now Biffa is targeting twenty goals this season. Hero status beckons, if that wish comes true, go for it Biffa.

Biffa says: "I was speaking to a few people back in Liverpool and they were saying I could be like a new signing. They didn't see that much of me last season. Since I came to Everton I have only made nine starts. That is not many. Everybody knows what I can do. I have shown it over the years. It's time to stop talking and get playing.

Any striker would set a benchmark of 20 goals a season. It's getting more and more difficult to achieve that, but I have done it once so there is no reason why I can't do it again. If I can get a good pre-season under my belt and remain injury free I'm sure the performances and the goals will come." (26/07/05)

I Owe You

The Beat owes the fans after last year and he is determined to pay the fans back.

James says: "I will try to put last year behind me. Obviously the move to Goodison has been a massive move for me and it has been brilliant the way I have been accepted in the city and by the fans.

"A lot of people have been making excuses for me but am not one to make excuses. Hopefully with this pre-season behind me I can show people what I can do. They probably know what I can do but after last year and the way they stood by me, I think I owe them something." (08/07/05)

I'll Prove You All Wrong

Biffa Beattie, believes circumstances conspired against him, after a less than magnificent start to his Blues career. After his sending off against Chelski, Biffa sat out eight weeks of action due to the suspension, and International weekends in his banned period. But he is raring to go, and adamant he is going to prove a few people wrong, after his big money signing from the Saints back in January.

Biffa says: "I have proven I can score goals, people can doubt me all they want - they can doubt Everton all they want. But I will show them, we will show them. I feel that I owe myself something. Whatever people say about me I will just stuff it down their throats when they see how many goals I've got. That's what I am going to do.

What happened with (William) Gallas did me no favours. It certainly wasn't malicious in any way but I really suffered. At another stage of the season a three-game ban could have been over and done with inside a week, but it took me eight weeks to serve my suspension because of the international break and the free weekends. It was so frustrating, worse than being injured because there was nothing I could do. I felt ready to go and then I injured my calf just doing an uphill run in training. I asked myself 'What the hell have I done wrong?' The gaffer said I must have been doing some withcraft behind his back, because it looked as if someone had put a spell on me. I never want to go through that again.

The aim for me is to make my name in the Champions League, then the England manager will have to look at me. It's a fantastic opportunity for me and that's why I am going to arrive at pre-season training fit and sharp. I am going to leave nothing to chance, I haven't become a bad player overnight. I will never think that. It is down to me now. But I can't wait to get out there and prove it." (13/06/05)

Biffa's Thanks To Moyesy

Biffa Beattie's had no doubts in joining the Blues last January, when he was bowled over by Moyesy, and Blue Bill's passion for the club. After his less than electric start, Biffa is grateful to Moyesy for the support he has shown him. Up to you now Biffa, there are six million reasons why you owe Moyesy back. Europe here we come.

Biffa says: ''I liked the feel of what the gaffer and Mr Kenwright were putting over to me. Mr Kenwright said it was an awesome club, and now that I'm here I can see that. The fans are so passionate about the team. The gaffer has been excellent from the first time I met him. He's been supportive and training is good. Everyone gets along and the spirit in the dressing room is brilliant, so he's got to take a lot of credit for that. He's done really, really well and everyone at the club likes him.'' (02/06/05)

Your At A Big Club Now

Biffa has been to see Moyesy and told him next season is when he will be in the goals. Moyesy has said that he needs to prove it to the fans now he is at a big club.

Moyesy says: "James has to realise that he has come to a big club. I don't care how big he was at any other club, he will be treated the same here as any other player and that means you have to earn respect from the punters. The fans have got to see that players are going to do it for them on the park by playing well and now it's time for James to prove what he's made of.

He has been to see me and he said 'just wait until you see me when I'm right' - but he's got to prove that to the players as well as the fans. This club has been renowned for its number nines and the fans here have seen a few good ones in their time so if they don't think you are doing the right things and playing the right way then they will let you know and I have no problems with that.

James had a good goals record at Southampton and he was in and around the England squad, so I thought he would be ideal for us. A lot of the problem is self-inflicted - the sending off against Chelsea set him back - but on the positive side he has only started seven games but scored two goals. He hasn't played particularly well but he always looks likely to get a goal. Maybe there has been a bit of a honeymoon period with me but that's over now. People may get the impression that he can be a big-time Charlie, but personally I think here is a boy who is really disappointed with himself and wants to put that right.'' (22/05/05)

Backing

Biffa has been giving the backing from the boss. David Moyes believes Everton will see the real James Beattie next season.

Moyesy says:"I'm looking forward to seeing James come back at the start of next season. It might take a little time to be accepted. But what's really impressed me is how down he's felt about not doing well. He's got a determination that he wants to show people what he is. I think if you've got that then you know you're going to have somebody who's going to try their best and it won't be through a lack of effort if he fails, it will be for other reasons." (21/05/05)

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