So who is bruce refering too, sounds like he's got a few in mind, maybe the Ba rumour is more than a rumour... Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says he will use Sunday's trip to already relegated West Ham United as a chance to assess potential transfer targets. Stars such as Scott Parker, Robert Green and Carlton Cole have all been linked with an Upton Park exit, rather than play in the Championship. "We'll be watching at the weekend," Bruce told BBC Newcastle. "There'll be some rich pickings, and we'll also look at the two other clubs who unfortunately will be relegated." Bruce added: "In my experience, and this club has been there too, you struggle to keep hold of your best players because you have to make cuts, and you haven't got the budget and revenue streams." "I think West Ham, of the bottom teams, have arguably got as good a strength of squad as anybody," Bruce added. "Look at the strikers for instance, with [Robbie] Keane, Demba Ba, [Frederic] Piquionne, [Victor] Obinna, the list goes on. "Then you've got an England midfielder [Parker], England centre-half [Matthew Upson] and England goalkeeper [Green] so it shows you how difficult the league is. "I thought that West Ham would get out of it at Christmas time, but they haven't and it shows you how difficult it is."
I'd have Parker, Ba, Piq and *maybe* Upson, they would improve our team, and TBF, they should all be playing at top level.
"Then you've got an England midfielder [Parker], England centre-half [Matthew Upson] and England goalkeeper [Green] so it shows you how difficult the league is. So SB will be watching England players, that's good because they have been fantastic lately haven't they? Ba could be a massive risk but, his injury hasn't hampered him so could be worth it. Scott Parker would be a good signing could be what we are looking for in the centre of the park, bit on the old side but still got a couple of seasons in him. "I think West Ham, of the bottom teams, have arguably got as good a strength of squad as anybody," Bruce added. This sums up Bruce for me he thinks that the bottom team in the league have one of the strongest squads !!
Not Upson, please not Upson. Ba, if his knee gets the green light, but at our place we take fully fit players and cripple them, goodness knows what we'll do to a lad who's got a bit of history. Parker- we've got no chance. Noble, not bothered at all, but would have a look at Piquonne.
Talking about signings, wasn't it said we'd break out existing transfer record to replace Bent? Sturridge and Gyan would make an immense pairing. Everyone keeps going on and on about ourselves needing a big target man to play with Gyan, it's driving me crazy. Gyan is immensly strong and can look after himself, what he needs is a partner on the same wavelength. Sturrdige and Welbeck, imo, are the kind of players Gyan needs to partner. Bringing in a player such as Pavluychenko could neutralise Gyan, i believe. Sturridge and Gyan with N'Zogbia on the left wing and Sessegnon on the right wing - we could give ANY team a game. Bring Boothroyd in for back up. This is very, very achievable. Stop being so safe, Bruce, open the game up with these players an we'll rip teams apart.
Sturridge would be a crackin buy, who wont be cheap but has proved at Bolton what a top preditor he is. and if we could add Welbeck to the equation well, who knows.
Why worry about Ba's injury, its his knee and we all know its hamstrings we specialise in. Trying to read comments and gauge feeling, would I be correct in assuming Upson is not a must buy?
I would guess so Syd, personally I don't mind Upson, on his day he is a good defender and would improve our team, I remember last year when the rumours of signing Bramble were about nobody wanted him, if we were to ask the question now I bet you would get a different answer, I wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him. If we were to raid West Ham, I would take Paker (not likely to get him), so Noble & Ba would be great additions to our squad
