Beattie earns AJ backing
15 Dec 2006 - 07:50:44
Everton striker Andrew Johnson has backed mis-firing team-mate James Beattie to end his barren spell.
The England striker has netted just two goals this season and his confidence hit rock-bottom when he was replaced at half-time in last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth.
The Toffees face Chelsea on Sunday and Johnson is tipping his strike partner to recapture his form sooner rather than later.
"We all feel for him at the minute," Johnson told the club's official website.
"He is a great player and a natural goalscorer. You can see that in training all the time.
"He turns on balls from 15 yards out and just puts them away in a flash. He instinctively chips goalkeepers. It's those little things.
"But it is all about confidence. When you are getting chances you are not too concerned about things.
"It is when they don't start coming along that you start questioning yourself and wondering why you aren't in the right place at the right time."