Beatt-ing the drop

Beattie: always confident

The fans surprised me in my first home game against Man City and basically carried us through with 10 men. I can remember at times in the game I was thinking 'this is doing me ears in, it could do with being a bit quieter'!

James Beattie
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James Beattie says it was never a risk joining Stoke.

The former Southampton, Everton and Sheffield United striker joined the Potters in the January transfer with a return to the Championship a distinct possibility.

Tony Pulis's side were the bookies favourites for relegation at the start of the season and Paddy Power even paid out on them going down after their opening-day defeat at Bolton.

Stoke are of course safe but Beattie was always confident he was not returning to the Premier League for a solitary season.

"I don't think it was a gamble," he told Goals on Sunday.

"I've always been a person who is confident in my own ability. I knew it was going to add to the squad and the gaffer had already outlined what he had at the club and what he wanted me to bring - although a couple more signings.

"I was always confident that we were going to stay up.

"The feeling of being in a relegation battle is something I've not had since I was Southampton in the early days, so it was a new but old feeling."

Beattie has more than repaid the £3.5million with seven goals in 15 games, including the winner on his home debut against Manchester City.

He managed just 15 goals in 85 appearances for Everton in the Premier League but insists he did not have a point to prove, to his manager or anyone else.

"I am a lot older now, I've been in the game for a while and I don't think I have anything to prove to anybody," he said.

"He (Pulis) has given me the chance though and the club has given me the chance and I'm thankful for that. I'm enjoying my football.

"I've only been there for a while but one-on-one, when you speak to him he's a fantastic man manager. He speaks to you honestly and truthfully and I'm not over-hyping him but I think he has got the best out of me since I've been there."

And if Beattie did have any doubts about moving to the Britannia Stadium, they were dispelled as soon as he played there.

Stoke's fans have been named the loudest in the Premier League this season and if anyone doubts what an impact they have on their team, the 31-year-old centre-forward is happy to put them right.

"I've only been there since Christmas but it's been fantastic," he said.

"The fans surprised me in my first home game against Man City and basically carried us through with 10 men. I can remember at times in the game I was thinking 'this is doing me ears in, it could do with being a bit quieter'!

"They have been absolutely awesome and anybody who hears about it and goes to the Brit next season or whenever, they'll hear the volume themselves."