Shearer v Beattie - 16/12/2002

And the 'Beat' goes on...

Links:  Players:    James Beattie    Alan Shearer  Clubs:    Southampton

Unfortunately I missed Saturday’s game as I was covering the Boro v Chelsea game for Tyne Tees. Talking of which, Chelsea were really impressive and look very good for at least a place in the top four. Having seen the match highlights from St.Mary’s, and listened to the post-match interview of Gordon Strachan, is seems the game was even better than the one at the Riverside.

The pre-match hype was all about Shearer v Beattie, and as I’ve had the pleasure of playing with both lads, it’s been quite interesting to hear people’s views. It’s as obvious to say they are both class players, as to call them the Master and Apprentice. For me, I feel that the claims of Beats being up there with Al are a little premature. That’s not to say he can’t get very close, he’s got time on his hands and can develop further.

However, if there’s one striker to be compared against, it’s Alan Shearer. Look at the record books, look at his injuries, look at who he’s played with – it’s not as if he’s been at Championship winning teams who’ll create chance after chance for him. Just imagine if, perish the thought, he’d gone to Man U after he left Blackburn. For all the obstacles that have been thrown his way, he overcomes them all, and the recent calls for an England return are testimony to his present form.

Beats is more athletic than Al, he’s also deceptively quick, certainly a lot quicker than Al. He’s good in the air, can hold the ball well, and can knock them in from all angles and distances. He didn’t have it very easy when he came down from Blackburn, but that didn’t do him any harm. At 23 he’s now maturing, and this season has seen him playing at another level. In the past he’s perhaps lacked a bit of consistency, but that’s part of growing up. For me, he can certainly be a big International player, the call from Sven must be coming soon. But that consistency needs to be a permanent fixture, if he can add one or two improvement to his game, then he’ll come really close to Shearer.

But remember that Alan Shearer is the record Premiership scorer, his club chairman has recently called him the greatest ever Newcastle centre forward (beating Albert Stubbins, Jackie Milburn, Malcolm MacDonald, Kevin Keegan, and Peter Beardsley). His recent form has also lead to a number of media personalities calling him the best ever Premiership striker, if Beats can get close to Al, then he’ll have a absolutely fantastic career to look forward to!

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