Beattie is a loud player in the dressing room and practically everywhere else. It's a contagious attidude which raises those around him. Depsite, that he's knows when to knuckle down and learn. “I don’t think I’ll be as loud as normal this week," said James. " I’ll just do what my dad says – hear all, see all and say nowt.”
Beattie is confident he can do well. "I’ve scored against Liverpool and Arsenal and some of the other top teams so I’ve just been in the frame of mind, without being arrogant, that I was going to score and nobody was going to stop me,” he said.
“I still believe that. I’m quite mentally focused and strong, and that’s quite a weapon to have.”
Beattie is still seen by many to be an inconsistent player, scoring only in spells. Anyone who actually paid attention would have seen that this was only for one season. Last season, Beattie was consistently showing the kind of form he's in now. Only injury prevented him from following it through until the end of the season.
Even when in the middle for his goalscoring last season, there were a few calls for him to be considered for England. Those few cries have developed into a cacophony of shouts, as the premiership's top scorer has emerged as England's best hope up front.
Considering England's other options, fans will be hoping for a good display from Beattie tomorrow. Apart from Owen, there is a definite lack of proven goalscoring up front.
While many are looking to Wayne Rooney to become the next big star, do they feel the same about Francis Jeffers. It wasn't that long ago that Jeffers was also considered to be the next great hope. Injury and being stuck in an Everton side flirting with relegation didn't help him, but he has yet to really emerge into the Arsenal side with any great regularity. While Rooney is an outstanding prospect, it is Beattie who is the regular goalscorer.
With Jeffers not getting a lot of first team football, it's hard to imagine him being a regular fixture in the England team. With David Moyes keen on protecting his young star, the same argument could be made for Rooney.
Beattie sees himself and Rooney as clearly different players. “I didn’t really start playing competitive football until I was 14 or 15 so I was never going to be as good as Wayne when I was 17,” said Beattie.
“Some people are just naturally talented and he’s definitely one of them. He’s so young and so good that he’s a gift really. Some other people, like me, have to work a lot harder at their game.
“We’ve been made aware of his ability and there’s no doubting his talent. He looks a superb striker and he’s still only 17. It’s quite scary!
“I’m sure he’ll cope well with it though. Obviously Wayne is going to get a lot of attention and if I’m slightly out of the spotlight, that won’t bother me at all.”
It has to be said that, with so much attention on Rooney, Beattie has been able to settle in and get down to business. There's every chance he will surprise those who are looking elsewhere.
As for becoming a regular England player, it's something Beattie clearly wants. However he knows to take things a step at a time. He also knows to hand out trite media sound bites to the hacks, which is a sure sign of international pedigree. “I’m just delighted to be here and, if I play some part on Wednesday night, then that would be great," said Beattie in his best Alan Shearer voice. "I’ll just try and do my best and get a goal."
"If I do pull on the shirt, I won’t be able to describe the feeling. Getting here is one thing but staying here is going to be a lot harder. I am confident and Darius Vassell did tremendously well when he scored on his England debut and he’s been here ever since."
“But I’m not going to say that I’m going to cement myself in the squad or the side for any length of time with just one game.”
Beattie also cunningly makes a case for his future inclusion. “I’d love to play up front with Michael Owen and I’m sure we could do well together. A lot of respected coaches prefer to have a big striker and a small striker together," said James.
It may sound a little silly, but why do you think Emil Heskey has managed to get so many caps ?