James Beattie today saluted Paul Robinson, who pipped him for the Carling Player of the Month award, and then vowed to try and beat him!

The Leeds keeper controversially and surprisingly got the November nod from the Carling panel ahead of Beattie, who scored in every match.

His six goals in four games included some outstanding strikes, but it was not enough to earn the award from the jury leaving Saints fans outraged on the striker's behalf.

Beattie though accepted the verdict graciously saying: "He is a good keeper who has done well - although, funnily enough, I thought he had done better the previous month.

"I thought I had done enough to get it and, although it would have been nice, it does not bother me.

"It would be lovely to put one over on him tomorrow though and perhaps start staking a claim for December!

"I want to get back in the goal-scoring groove because I did not really have any chances at Arsenal. I will go into this game feeling like I am going to score again.

"We let ourselves down at home to West Ham and we want to bounce back and give our fans a victory in our last game at The Dell before Christmas."

Beattie hurt a knee in the second minute at Highbury and only trained for the first time yesterday - but he is confident of being fit for tomorrow's attempt to eclipse Alan Smith, who scored Leeds' amazing winner against Lazio in midweek.

Beattie was delighted for the striker who is a good friend from their days together with the England Under-21 side.

He said: "I was really pleased for them and for Alan. He is Leeds through and through and he loves scoring goals for them. That will have meant a lot to him.

"It was a quality result - I just hope it has taken a bit out of them, because they will make it difficult for us. They are good at closing down the midfield, are well organised at the back and good going forward, so we will need to play like we did against Villa and Chelsea to beat them."

l The Carling panel included FA chief executive Adam Crozier, PFA chairman Gordon Taylor, Richard Scudamore for the Premier League, John Barnwell from the League Managers' Association, Neil Midgley representing referees, Alan Green of BBC Five Live and other media men.

A Carling spokesman said: "It is the most representative awards panel in football and James came a very close second with Teddy Sheringham third."