Happy Enough

Moyesy is telling Biffa that he was happy enough with the 57 minutes that the forward took part in Sunday's home win against Charlton. The Manager tells Biffa that he still has a part to play for this season, but I don't think you need to be a rocket Scientist to work out, that the out of form striker will be on his way come the Summer. If your off Biffa, at least go out with a bang, a few strikes in the coming weeks will do nicely.

Moyesy says: "I thought he played well. I thought he tired - he didn't feel particularly well at half time and I think the heat played a part in that as well. He got in great positions for a couple of headers at the back post and I thought there were some good signs from James.

He has started quite a few games this season but he does need to take his opportunities. I said to the likes of James Beattie, Gary Naysmith, James McFadden and Anderson de Silva that they might be the people who we need in the coming weeks. We are grateful for them keeping themselves right, and showing a terrific attitude when they came on." (17/04/07)

Biffa Has a Part To Play

Everton scoring sensation from the early 90's Tony Cottee, believes Biffa Beattie has a huge role to play in Everton's future. TC, thinks the 4-4-2 formation suits the Blues, as Biffa makes space for his partner Andy Johnson. He backs his argument up with a win ratio of over 50% when the pairing have played together.

T C says: "James Beattie and Andy Johnson can be a productive striking partnership. I’ve said that all season, and still believe that can be the case. James clearly needs a goal, but I’m a firm believer in the merits of 4-4-2, even though the 4-4-1-1 system has been so successful for the Blues in recent years. Effective though that formation has been, it’s a fairly telling stat that on the nine occasions Beattie and Johnson have played in tandem this season, Everton have won five, drawn two and lost two. That suggests a twin strikeforce has its place at Everton.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be 4-4-2. I’m sure 3-5-2 could be equally as effective if David Moyes wanted to use Tim Cahill behind the strikers. I just think two strikers is a better system for both the forwards themselves and the team. When you are up front on your own it is desperately difficult to chisel out chances. Andy Johnson does it superbly, but he would find it even easier with a forward alongside him to share the burden. When you have two strikers playing, the opposition centre-halves have a decision to make on which one they are going to pick up; the full-backs are then dragged in to provide cover, and that gives the men playing wide more space to work in." (28/02/07)

Bothered

Biffa's not bothered that he missed a sitter against Watford on Saturday, thinking that he may get a few more chances before long. The truth is he's not Andy Johnson, Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta or even Leon Osman for that matter. They are players who can get into scoring positions and like Biffa will miss chances, but when you have a couple of chances per game to put away, they will score the odd one. If like Biffa you miss the only chance you've had in 3 games, then you should be worried.

Biffa says: “I’m disappointed that I missed it but I’m happy I had it. That means I’m doing something right. I wasn’t anxious, it was just one of those things. It will probably go down as the miss of the season but I’m not bothered. I’ll try to bounce back from it next week, if I’m selected. I’m enjoying myself here and hopefully I’ll get an extended run now. It’s all very well people saying ‘good work rate’ but I want to score and I’m convinced things will turn for me.

It’s been very difficult but I always knew that I’d get another chance. I’m as fit as I’ve ever been and I’m ready for the challenge. All I need is a couple more games and chances like the one I missed will be getting buried. It was a fantastic performance on Saturday. We knew we had to win the battle first and we set the tone right from the first minute. We played some good football, weathered their storm and we always looked comfortable.

Joleon (Lescott) and Joseph (Yobo) were commanding and I thought Gary Naysmith was outstanding for the way he bounced back after what happened on Wednesday. He came in and played very well. He deserves credit as it’s hard mentally when something like that happens to you. The midfield were quality. They kept interchanging and looked really fluid and I think myself and AJ gave a good account of ourselves. Ossie’s goal was a nice way to finish things. He had scored a few like that in training last week and as soon as he shaped to shoot, I knew it was in.” (26/02/07)

Difficult Days

Biffa Beattie has spoken of his lack of first team outings this season, due to the form of AJ, and Moyesy's decision to start Big Vic when he has played 4-4-2. The striker who played in Wednesdays defeat to Spurs is determined to grab his chance again if he is selected against Watford tomorrow. He thanks the Everton fans for their support over the last few months, and he is desperate to do well in Everton's famous Number Nine shirt.

Biffa says: "It's been very difficult and I can't say that it hasn't. But I knew that a chance would come along and that I needed to be ready for it. That's the focus I've had for the past few months...to be ready for that chance. I feel as fit as I've ever been.

It was the first time I've had 90 minutes for quite a while now. It was pleasing to be back in the side, albeit due to injuries to other strikers. I felt that I worked hard and that's a big part of my game. It was emphasised when I arrived that the Evertonians would take a bad performance from anyone as long as they put the work-rate in and show pride in the shirt. Everyone knows how desperate I was to get the number 9 shirt for this club. I love it here, I really do. The past few months have been hard but the amount of support I have received from people around the city has helped. Even further afield, I get fans coming up to me and telling me that they know what I can do." (23/02/07)

No Go Biffa

Biffa is going nowhere in January according to Moyesy. Blackburn it is reported are sniffing around our out of form striker, but The Boss is adamant the his £6m purchase from Southampton is staying at Goodison. I am sure Moyesy's resolve will be tested if Mark Hughes are anyone else comes in with a decent offer.

Moyesy says: "James Beattie will not be sold in the transfer window. James is a centre forward who has done well for us and I have no doubt he will do well again for us." (27/12/06)

Bad Times For Biffa

Moyesy brought off Biffa at half-time at Portsmouth and replaced him with young 18 year old Vic Anichebe, but not because the former Southampton man got the bird from the Pompey fans every time he was near the ball. It must have been because he was shite. Biffa was out of the side at the beginning of the season, when Everton were playing well and winning. Now that he has his chance to play regular football he has not taken it. What next?

Moyesy says: "Taking him off was nothing to do with the booing he got. I just took a decision. I don't believe he was affected by the crowd. Last year he was our top scorer. But he has usually been out of the side because other people have been in it." (11/12/06)

He Is Good, Honest

Fair shout to Moyesy as once again he finds himself talking up the performances of Biffa Beattie. The striker who has a return of 15 goals in 65 appearances is totally out of form, but with the injuries to Tiny and AJ, Moyesy has been giving him a run in the side.

The Blues face West Ham on Sunday and Moyesy is referring back to this time last year when Biffa was at the height of his powers, and he is hoping that the Christmas spirit returns to Biffa's form, ho, ho, ho, lets hope so !!

Moyesy says: "He has got that in the bag. And it was around this time last year when he had a really good period for us. That's what we are hoping James Beattie has got because we need it.

I think a lot of strikers get confidence from goals and when you get one, it breeds more confidence and you can get more goals. What you want from your strikers is a regular return. You want them all to be banging them in regularly.

The one thing that has happened is that we have found a way of playing that has suited Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson and we came out of the blocks quickly, which meant that Beats didn't start in the team. I'm sure he will accept the challenge. In the flitting opportunities that he has come in, he could have done better than he has." (01/12/06)

Show Us What You Can Do

Moyesy is challenging James Beattie to show him what he can do with the enforced absence of Tiny, and hopefully the short term loss of AJ. Moyesy as ever is talking one of his players up, and is reminding the Everton hit man, that it was only eight months gao that he was being talked about in England circles.

Moyesy says: "We are looking for James Beattie to come through now. He has had a bit of a stop-start time, but that is partly because of how well the team has been doing. Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson between them have scored plenty of goals in a partnership that was working in a slightly different way. But I have always said we will utilise different players and different styles during the season.

James is going to come in and we are playing a bit different now and hopefully he will get his goals. He had a very hot streak last season when he scored something like seven goals in 10 games. That run almost got him back into the England squad and we know he is capable of doing that again. We need everybody to get behind him and we are giving him our full support and backing." (27/11/06)

Grab Your Chance

Biffa is expected to play against Bolton tomorrow in the absence of leading scorer, Tim Cahill. But Moyesy has made it clear there are other players ready to step in if Biffa doesn't do the business.

Moyesy says: "James is in the same position as any other player I may decide to play. All the players who could come in have had opportunities at different times and whoever we do decide to play, they will have to step up and if they do that we won't have any problems.

James' season has been a little bit stop-start. We have found a way of playing with Tim Cahill playing behind Andy Johnson that has allowed us to be a little bit different and we have not already needed two up front. But we have done that a few times and now James has got to get himself back into the form we know he is capable of and hopefully he will do that." (17/11/06)

Right Attitude ?

With Tiny Tim sidelined, and a home game coming up, Moyesy may opt for a 4-4-2 formation with out of form Biffa Beattie given another chance to prove to the Boss and the fans that he has what it takes to cut it at Goodison. Rumours are rife that the once record signing may be on his way in January, but Mikky Arteta has nothing but praise for the strikers attitude. That's fair enough, lets hope the fans see a bit of it on Saturday if selected, as we would love nothing more than to see Biffa scoring, and Everton return to winning ways.

Mikky says: "I think Beats has been great with his attitude. He has been working really hard. It has been a difficult time for him. He has been patient and he's been trying to help everyone else. Now he has got a chance and he deserves that chance. If the manager decides to play him then I'm sure he will take it." (16/11/06)

Baby Joy

Everton skipper Phil Neville has praised Biffa's attitude since being left out of the team. Could it be that since becoming a dad for the first time after the birth of baby James, Biffa is becoming an old softie.

Phil Neville says: "Andy Johnson has come in and added a new dimension but the pleasing thing is that James Beattie's attitude since being left out has been spot-on as well.

We have got probably the most in-form goalscorer in the Premiership at the moment in Andy Johnson and he is fantastic to play with. He occupies the whole back four on his own and he is so quick." (13/09/06)

Get Your Finger Out Biff

Poor old Biffa. Since AJ's arrival at Goodison he has seen his new strike partner score two in three, get a recall to the England squad, and receive all the plaudits for his impressive start to Everton life. Meanwhile Biffa was rub a dubbed at Blackburn and failed to get a starting place against Spurs. Moyesy is not giving up on the Everton hit man, and has challenged Biffa to return to the level of performance we seen off him at the turn of the year.

Moyesy says: " I'm looking for him to be strong and competitive. He is a player who can put himself between the ball and the opponent and I want him to do that as often as he can. We know he has got a tremendous work rate. We need him to show that at every opportunity. He has got that ability to win headers and it is important that he does that for us. There were times last season when we did not have an awful lot up front, so we could not change things around much. But there were times when he went on a run and he looked the type of player who could bully defenders - like he did against Arsenal. There is a lot for him to give this team and we know there is still more to come, especially with his goal return." (04/09/06)

AJ's My Mate

Biffa is happy with the competition he has at Goodison this season, and he believes that with AJ, Big Vic, and Faddy they will keep him on his toes. Moyesy's likely pairing this weekend will be Biffa with AJ, and the Everton forward is delighted to have the lighting quick Andy Johnson as his new strike partner.

Biffa says: "AJ is a proven goalscorer and he is looking as sharp as anything in training and in the games. He is a bright young lad who is easy-going, made friends as soon as he walked in because he is a likable lad and coupled with his talent he is a great player to have around. It has shocked me how quick he is - he is first or second up there with Joseph Yobo because he is so fast and his finishing is tremendous. His touch and awareness is brilliant and hopefully he can take that into games and score a lot of goals this year.

Faddy has had a good pre-season and Victor has had a good pre-season as well. Victor is only young but he is strong as an ox and he knows where the goal is, which are two very good ingredients for a striker to have. I am sure he will make his mark in the league at some point this season. You have to be on top form and playing your best because the gaffer has got options now." (16/08/06)

20 Goals

Moyesy was glad to give Biffa the Everton Number 9 shirt. He wants no thanks, just 20 goals this season.

Moyesy says: "Beats started to show with his performances last season that he is much more capable. I think he knew that you need to be a special player to be a number nine at Everton. He knows there is a list as long as your arm of great number nines and he's aware that it is a jersey that carries a huge amount of kudos.

When I told him he was getting it, I told him about the responsibility that comes with it. You have got respect when you get the jersey but I also told him that he's got to score me 20 goals!
So, he just turned around to me and said he was fine with all that! But on a serious note, he is delighted. It's a big thing to be a number nine at a club like Everton. (14/07/06)

Tremendous Honour

Biffa is chuffed to final get hold of the number 9 shirt.

Biffa says: "It is a tremendous honour for myself. With Dunc staying last year I made it clear I wanted to be number nine to the gaffer. He said 'we will leave it for 12 months and let Dunc carry on with it'.

But he has pulled me and said he wants me to be the number nine for next season and hopefully for several years to come. There are players that have worn the shirt that are absolute legends and hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.

"It was hard at first but the fans have stuck by me and gave me all the support I needed and now it is time for me to start repaying them. I started to do it last year and hopefully we can carry it on this year." (13/07/06)

Come in Number 9

James Beattie has got his wish and got the famous number nine shirt for the coming season. Biffa said he wanted it when he first joined, but a certain Duncan Ferguson had it then. Well now you have it James, make sure you keep it and lets hope you follow in the footsteps of Dean, Lawton, Young, Royle, Latchford, Sharp & Ferguson. Full list of all the squad numbers. (11/07/06)

Can't Wait To Get Started

Getting married in the Summer hasn't stopped Biffa playing footy. He'll still be allowed to play every Saturday as long as he goes straight home from the match. He's had a look at the fixtures and can't wait for the first game and the Derby.

Biffa says: It's always exciting when the fixtures are announced and the players look forward to it every bit as much as the supporters. People may say that Watford at home is a nice fixture for the opening day but they will be fully fired up for it with it being their first game after promotion. They did terrifically well to come up from the Championship last season and they will be looking to get off to a solid start. But we are the home team, Goodison will be packed out and we'll be desperate to start well ourselves. I love the first day of the new season. There is always excitement about the place and with us having made some great signings already this summer I am confident that we can get off to a winning start.

It's an interesting start for us. I always enjoy playing at Ewood Park because they were my first club and if we can do as well as we did there last season, we'll be delighted. We didn't do ourselves justice in either of the derby matches last season and we'll be looking to put that straight, They are always great occasions and it's good for the fans that they haven't got to wait too long for the first one." (24/06/06)

Best Mates

AJ is relishing playing up front with his best mate, Biffa.

AJ says: "He's a great player and all you need to do is look at his goal record for Southampton and the goals he scored here last season. He's a very instinctive player and the chip he scored here last season sticks in my mind. He's very clever and great in the air so he will be great to play off.

I know 'Beats' through football. You play against people and you see them out and about from time to time. I've had a few texts from him wishing me good luck and welcoming me to the family!" (03/06/06)

Everton 1st Team Squad 2006/07     Biffa Last Season