As prophesised on these pages a few weeks ago James Beattie is keen on a return to St Mary's

In an interview with the Daily Echo James Beattie has spoken of a desire to rejoin the Club and return to live in the area that he has grown to love.

In the piece he admits that "soundings" have been made about a return to SMS and that although Nigel Adkins seems to be keen to give him the opportunity to train with the squad and prove his fitness etc, the matter is not completely in the managers hands and that at the moment the answer back appears to be no, even to lettig him train to get back in physical condition.

Although there would be some Saints fans who believe that Beattie's best days are behind him and that his return would be a step backwards, that would be a little short sighted given that the Club only appear to have three fit strikers on the books in Lambert and the injury prone Connolly, the only back up to them at the moment is Jonathan Forte, who to be blunt would probably not get a game at many clubs in this division, Lee Barnard's immediate future looks uncertain with a mysteriious injury and a court case also looming.

There is no doubt that Nigel Adkins feels that he is short in the striking department, given the number of forwards we made bids for in the transfer window and that aligned with our current lack of options makes Beattie on a short term contract a viable option.

Of course we would not get the Beattie of old, but the fact is he would give us that much needed cover, at least until the January transfer window when we could look to bring in a younger striker.

So bringing him in to train with the club and show he is worth a short term deal, makes sense to both Saints and to Beattie himself, we would have a player desperate to get fit and prove himself and this could be priceless if we pick up an injury to either of our forwards.

Yes in some respects it could be seen as a step backwards, but what would be even worse is if we dont give even a chance to a decent player who is available to us cheaply and that mistake could be further compounded by injury.

Nigel Adkins seems keen, after all he has nothing to lose but everything to gain, the implication of the Echo article is that this is not the managers decision.  

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simmo400 added 13:10 - Sep 27 If he was fit he could be ok. Pay as he played would be a good idea. Really would cost us nothing then.
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splurty added 13:10 - Sep 27 After initially thinking a BIG no I now think that a pay as you play deal is a "no brainer "As he gives cover to sir Ricky of lambertshire and will be as keen as musturd to prove himself ,also he must of grown up by now ,I still have great memories of him in a saints shirt ,let's create some more young jimbo !!!COYR
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bstokesaint added 13:11 - Sep 27 As long as he doesn't cost us too much then maybe we could give him a chance. Personally I'm sceptical he could be the player we all once loved and admired. Plus the most important thing is getting that spirit right in the dressing room. Could Beattie handle the changes that have happened since he left? It was a while ago.
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ThereIn76 added 13:20 - Sep 27 I'm sure that if Nigel thinks Beattie will contribute positively on the pitch, on the training ground and in the dressing room, he'll do a deal. But personally I can't see it happening. Puncheon made a bigger contribution at Blackpool last season and Beats is now out of contract, which is not a good sign. A team at the top of the Championship is not a retirement home for former players.

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geezershoong added 13:37 - Sep 27 I'm sure he's 'love' to be at any club - he's out of work.
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Toussaint added 14:47 - Sep 27 No no no no i havent forgot how he left the club,now hes back with his tail between his legs,no way...keep him away from our youngsters
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dune added 17:54 - Sep 27 He'd be a good signing. Would give us options. You can never have enough players who can hold the ball up and score.
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felly1 added 21:35 - Sep 27 No thanks, he's done nothing for a number of years.We are ambitious and he would be suited to a club lower down the pecking order.As you have stated we do lack cover up front and I agree about your comments regarding Barnard and Forte, I jusr reckon there are fitter faster more hungry forwards out there who are desperate to make a name for themself.
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