Beags: I'll be more dangerous this year

Last updated : 20 August 2005 By Luke Thornhill
Beagrie
Beagrie has not started any of United's three League games so far this season, coming off the bench against Barnsley and Gillingham.

But he made an immediate impact against the Gills - providing the cross for Richard Hinds' late equaliser.

He said: "I still want to play as much as possible. League One actually suits me better, and that's been proven in my cameo performances.

"Defensively it's a poorer division than the one we've just come from. That's a widespread view shared by players and managers, who feel the step up in class is in the forwards, not defenders.

"There is more drilling on defensive duties in League Two. In League One you expect them to be better and there is more quality on the ball.

"But collectively defences are nowhere near as good and for me, well I just rub my hands together. There's always more space and time on the ball."

Beagrie is approaching 40, but refuses to put a time limit on his playing career - and is keen to stay involved in the game, either as a coach or media pundit.

He added: "I've always had my own ideas on the game and I can communicate well and get my thoughts across.

"I'd like to think I've built up a knowledge of the game. This is my 24th season, but if you can't communicate, you're knackered really.

"Through various aspects of my media work I get to watch a lot more games than I would normally do, and chat about it.

"I turn 40 in November and my passion is still as great as it was when I was 17 and I want to share my knowledge.

"I'm not sure about how long I'll carry on playing. But I don't want to put time limits on it. - there are lads I signed my first professional contract with at Middlesbrough whose careers were finished at 18."

You can read the full interview with Peter Beagrie in this week's SPORT FIRST newspaper, £1.30 in all good newsagents.