The Prem: Football: Beatts: I was mad to drive

SOUTHAMPTON striker James Beattie last night talked for the first time about his "one minute of sheer madness" that he claims has changed his life for ever. When Beattie was convicted of drink- driving, he was banned for 30 months, ordered to complete 100 hours community work and was hit with a club fine of around pounds 20,000. "And all because I was mad enough to get into my car when I had had a few drinks and drive it 20 yardsacross the road," he reflected ahead of Saints' Premiership clash with Fulham at St Mary's today. Beattie is finally coming to terms with conviction, but knows he still owes his manager, team- mates and the Saints fans who have stood by him.

"Anyone who really knows me accepts that I am not the sort to go out and get drunk, then get behind the wheel of a car and put lives at risk. "The night I was caught the road was deserted - except for three police cars, and two police vans! "I don't go out every night and get hammered, like some people would love to believe. "After a game I do like to go out and have a good time with my mates, and relax. The gaffer has told us we can do that.

"The night I got caught we were due a couple of days off so I had not broken any of the gaffer's rules about drinking before training or games," hepoints out. Beattie's community work has centred around teaching football to school children in Southampton.

But his first goal of the season against Aston Villa last Monday night helped ease the burden and he is confident more goals will follow. Steve Marlet fears an old Fulham team-mate will come back and haunt Jean Tigana's side today. French striker Marlet has always felt Fabrice Fernandes could make it big in England. Sadly for the club's fans that could well be at Southampton where Fernandes finished up after being dumped by Tigana.

Fernandes has hit a rich vein of form and played leading roles in Saints' two recent wins over Manchester City and Villa. And Marlet said: "Fabrice has so much talent. He is quick and he knows how to score goals. "I just hope we can keep him quiet on Sunday and make sure he doesn't do us any damage."

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