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Blades: Over and out?
JAMES Beattie could have played his last game for Sheffield United after discussions aimed at securing his Bramall Lane future ended without an agreement being reached.
The former England international is facing a three match ban after being sent-off towards the end of Saturday’s visit to Charlton Athletic.
And with his stay in South Yorkshire scheduled to end later this month, United manager Danny Wilson confirmed the League One club have yet to learn whether Beattie plans to stay until the end of the season.
Revealing that “ours is not the only offer James has received,” Wilson said: “We’re still in talks with James.
“He’s got other options. Not necessarily in this country and if he wants to tell you about them then he will. But we’ll sit down with him again.”
Although the exact details of the short-term deal Beattie signed remain shrouded in mystery - United’s official website reported it expired in “mid-January” when the striker initially put pen to paper on November 24 - Wilson believes his presence at The Valley suggests a positive outcome is still possible.
“I get the impression he likes being here with us,” he said. “We’ll speak again.”
United slipped one place to third in the table - seven points behind their opponents - after Johnnie Jackson’s first-half free-kick proved enough to settle a controversial contest.
Wilson described Beattie’s dismissal for violent conduct, seconds after fellow substitute Darel Russell had also seen red for Charlton, as “pathetic” and hinted United could launch an appeal.
“I’ll speak to the legal people at the FA and see if we can do something,” he said. “We’ll see if it’s worth asking for it to be over-turned first because the last thing we want is to see James get an extra game (added to his suspension).
“He was helping his mates out. That’s what he was doing.”
Despite his frustration Wilson said: “I’m taking nothing away from Charlton because they’re a cracking side and the set-piece was excellent. I want to make that abundantly clear and full credit to them.
“But overall our performance was great too. I wonder how we’re going home with nothing but if we continue to play like that then we’ll be okay.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
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BladeDownSouth
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:33 PMAgree with @2. It's now on the club website that there will not be an appeal. There's no way would they appeal that once DW had seen it on video - he mustn't have had a clear view of the incident. It must put a big question mark over renewing his contract now.
handsworth
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 05:03 PMBe fair Danny has to say something He knows its twaddle, we know its twaddle and the FA will think the same You cannot do what he did and walk away unscathed
Honolulu Wednesday 1867
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:27 PMHe was helping his mates out. That’s what he was doing.No what he did was grab a Charlton player around the neck.3 match ban end of
Bobble
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:39 AMThis is obviously DW speaking straight after the game and looking at it again I'm sure he will see that "helping your mate" won't really hold much water with the FA. Beattie knows the game and should never have got involved in the "handbags" and given Charlton the chance to help the referee to level the numbers. Didn't think their lad should have gone either but that's the standard of the officials for you. Suppose it depends on how much Beattie wants money wise and how much he wants to play for us. Wouldn't push the boat out for him but would like to see him stay if a sensible deal can be reached.
Dingle Dickie
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:10 AMPointless keeping him with a 3 match ban looming. Best to forget him, and get Billy Clarke in on loan if possible...
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