Post by El Morto La Hoja! on Jan 15, 2009 10:40:26 GMT -1
James Beattie has revealed his move to Stoke was delayed because he wanted to find out whether Sheffield United were happy to sell him
Beattie was initially expected to join the Potters in time for their Premier League game against Liverpool on Saturday but his move did not go through until Monday night following an unspecified delay.
Beattie has now revealed it was down to a couple of "minor things" he wanted to sort out with Sheffield United.
He said: "Kevin Blackwell and Sam Ellis at Sheffield United were desperate to keep me, but the club wanted me out for financial reasons and nailed their colours to the mast on that one."
He added: "I was down here last Thursday, but it didn't happen last week because there were just a couple of minor things we needed to sort out.
"I thought I would test the waters and it was clear they wanted me out for financial reasons."
Beattie scored 34 goals in 65 appearances for the Blades but was sold to ease the wage bill as the promotion-chasing side's parachute payments are due to run out in the summer.
Beattie, who signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Britannia Stadium, has now set his sights on reaching 100 Premier League goals.
He said: "I was sure I was always going to get back into the Premier League one way or another," said Beattie.
"I still believe I can do it in this league. I'm proven in this league, so there's no reason to say I can't do it.
"I've got 81 Premier League goals and I've always said I want to get 100 goals.
"My best mate said I could get there this season, but I think he's a bit biased."
"I have been brought to score goals. The gaffer (Tony Pulis) has been great with me in outlining what he wants me to do and what my role will be.
"Hopefully I can help the club stay up and that is what I have come to do."
Beattie admitted his 18-month spell in the Championship with Sheffield United had reinvigorated him after his stay at Everton turned sour after he fell out with manager David Moyes.
"I enjoyed my time there, apart from the last 12 months when the manager didn't see me in his plans and didn't really treat me that well off the pitch," he said.
"It left a bit of a sour taste and it was a really big decision to drop down a division to join Sheffield United.
"But a lot of people have congratulated me in resurrecting my career, as it were, because it would have been easy to disappear down the league.
"Now I've got a chance in the Premier League again with Stoke and I can't wait.
"I was disappointed to leave Sheffield United. Kevin Blackwell and Sam Ellis (manager and assistant) were desperate to keep me but the club wanted me out for financial reasons and nailed their colours to the mast on that one.
"I am very thankful for Stoke giving me the opportunity to pit my wits against some of the best teams in Europe."
Beattie will get that chance immediately with a trip to Chelsea at the weekend.
However, a trip to Stamford Bridge holds no fears for Beattie, who has scored six times in his last 12 matches against Chelsea.
"I have always done pretty well against them and touch wood that will continue on Saturday if the manager decides to play me," he said.
"I've scored a few goals down at their place, one after about 16 seconds I think. I can remember Joe Cole misplacing a back pass and I took one touch and volleyed it from about 30 yards.
"Hopefully I can get off to a flier here and help pick up another fantastic result after the lads did brilliantly against Liverpool (a goalless draw on Saturday)."
Beattie was initially expected to join the Potters in time for their Premier League game against Liverpool on Saturday but his move did not go through until Monday night following an unspecified delay.
Beattie has now revealed it was down to a couple of "minor things" he wanted to sort out with Sheffield United.
He said: "Kevin Blackwell and Sam Ellis at Sheffield United were desperate to keep me, but the club wanted me out for financial reasons and nailed their colours to the mast on that one."
He added: "I was down here last Thursday, but it didn't happen last week because there were just a couple of minor things we needed to sort out.
"I thought I would test the waters and it was clear they wanted me out for financial reasons."
Beattie scored 34 goals in 65 appearances for the Blades but was sold to ease the wage bill as the promotion-chasing side's parachute payments are due to run out in the summer.
Beattie, who signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Britannia Stadium, has now set his sights on reaching 100 Premier League goals.
He said: "I was sure I was always going to get back into the Premier League one way or another," said Beattie.
"I still believe I can do it in this league. I'm proven in this league, so there's no reason to say I can't do it.
"I've got 81 Premier League goals and I've always said I want to get 100 goals.
"My best mate said I could get there this season, but I think he's a bit biased."
"I have been brought to score goals. The gaffer (Tony Pulis) has been great with me in outlining what he wants me to do and what my role will be.
"Hopefully I can help the club stay up and that is what I have come to do."
Beattie admitted his 18-month spell in the Championship with Sheffield United had reinvigorated him after his stay at Everton turned sour after he fell out with manager David Moyes.
"I enjoyed my time there, apart from the last 12 months when the manager didn't see me in his plans and didn't really treat me that well off the pitch," he said.
"It left a bit of a sour taste and it was a really big decision to drop down a division to join Sheffield United.
"But a lot of people have congratulated me in resurrecting my career, as it were, because it would have been easy to disappear down the league.
"Now I've got a chance in the Premier League again with Stoke and I can't wait.
"I was disappointed to leave Sheffield United. Kevin Blackwell and Sam Ellis (manager and assistant) were desperate to keep me but the club wanted me out for financial reasons and nailed their colours to the mast on that one.
"I am very thankful for Stoke giving me the opportunity to pit my wits against some of the best teams in Europe."
Beattie will get that chance immediately with a trip to Chelsea at the weekend.
However, a trip to Stamford Bridge holds no fears for Beattie, who has scored six times in his last 12 matches against Chelsea.
"I have always done pretty well against them and touch wood that will continue on Saturday if the manager decides to play me," he said.
"I've scored a few goals down at their place, one after about 16 seconds I think. I can remember Joe Cole misplacing a back pass and I took one touch and volleyed it from about 30 yards.
"Hopefully I can get off to a flier here and help pick up another fantastic result after the lads did brilliantly against Liverpool (a goalless draw on Saturday)."
Forever without exception. x
