Newcastle are still massive threat to us, admits James

The Saints striker says St James' Park is one of the most imposing places to play football, but believes the big game experience of matches like the FA Cup final will stand his team in good stead.

He said: "St James' Park is a daunting place to go - it's one of them you look forward to.

"They make a phenomenal amount of noise and if you can shut them up, it will be good for us.

"We are proving all the time how far the team has come, we are more than well equipped to cause problems and get a result.

"We love the big games, playing in front of 50 or 60,000 people.

"You just enjoy playing in the massive games, it's the ones you look forward to.

"If you don't like playing in these games there is something wrong."

Newcastle are second from bottom and without a Premiership win all season, but Beattie said: "Newcastle are very dangerous at the moment.

"They can always come at you and I'm sure Sir Bobby is calling on his side to start turning the results around. And with the quality they have got, I'm sure it is only a matter of time.

"They are not having the best of runs and it will be up to us to capitalise on it at St James' Park.

"We go into every game confident. The lads have had a good week of training and I'm sure we will get a good result up there."

Beattie also reflected on what have been an incredible past 12 months for him personally.

As mentioned in yesterday's Daily Echo, this time last year Beattie hadn't scored all season and boss Gordon Strachan was contemplating dropping him.

The turnaround has been remarkable and Beattie said: "It's been great and I've really enjoyed the last year.

"The goals are what have made it great and they have just kept coming, and I can get a lot better.

"In the last 36 Premier League games I have scored 29 goals - if I could get that into a season I would probably walk off with the golden boot.

"But it has been a fantastic year for me personally and for the club."