After his display against Aston Villa on Saturday someone compared him to Graeme Sharp to me, and the biggest compliment I can pay James is that I know what they were getting at.
Sharpie was a better footballer in every department, but his importance to the Everton team I played in is similar to the importance Beattie has to the current set-up. The way Everton play relies on a fit, willing and mobile target man - and Beattie fits all three criteria.
Their system requires someone like him to get on the end of long balls, hold the ball up in the opposition half and let midfield players like Cahill, Osman and Arteta gamble on getting into the box happy in the knowledge that a) he will win any flick-ons and keep the move alive, and b) will unsettle defenders and create chances.
His form and the form of his team-mates means that Saturday's outcome is difficult to predict.
I don't think many outside observers were unduly surprised by Liverpool's victory at Goodison in December.
The Reds had just won seven straight in the Premiership, while Everton were struggling and had just suffered back-to-back 4-0 hidings. And Liverpool won comfortably.
Article
