Tony Mowbray “I’ll be totally honest, I didn’t watch the draw…I’m told it’s Newcastle away.”

Danny Graham “To come and back it up with another great performance against a strong Newcastle team can hopefully kick start our season.”

Danny Graham “I could imagine there is going to be boos but that is something that spurs me on.”

Sunderland confirm that they have released four players, any use in the Championship for Newcastle?

“As soon as I heard about the interest from sunderland I didn’t even have to consider any of the other options. I totally understand that some fans might need convincing about my commitment to sunderland because of my roots…”.

Danny Graham; “Put it this way. I would stay as far away from sunderland as I could. It would probably have to be Gateshead”.

I can’t help feeling that in addition to those players that we could do with 1 or 2 proven PREMIERSHIP performers; whether banging the goals in up front, or a rock at the back! There are not many players that we could realistically try for that fit those criteria and certainly wouldn’t come cheap.

I am not suggesting that he would be a direct replacement for Ba, or that he will be the new Shearer, but for £4/5Million he is worth a punt for a gambling man.