Beattie praise for Moyes

James Beattie has been full of praise for David Moyes after what has been a largely disappointing campaign for the Goodison Park new boy.

Moyes brought Beattie from Southampton last season but the powerful striker failed to live up to expectations on Merseyside.

However, Beattie is optimistic for the new campaign and is looking forward to playing in front of a partisan home crowd next term.

''I liked the feel of what the gaffer and Mr Kenwright were putting over to me,'' Beattie told Shoot.

''Mr Kenwright said it was an awesome club, and now that I'm here I can see that.

''The fans are so passionate about the team. The gaffer has been excellent from the first time I met him.

''He's been supportive and training is good. Everyone gets along and the spirit in the dressing room is brilliant, so he's got to take a lot of credit for that.

''He's done really, really well and everyone at the club likes him.''

Meanwhile, Everton have confirmed that they have had talks with a London-based consortium over potential investment.

The group is led by former Tottenham director Howard Shore and Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness does not consider it to be a 'hostile' approach.