By Nick Raynor
December 22 2004

Newcastle manager Graham Souness is confident of landing his transfer targets in January.

Souness is under pressure, as recently the club has had a poor run of form and a lot of that is down to the quality of the defence.

On the plus side, Newcastle have plenty to spend, the £13.4 million sale of Jonathon Woodgate giving the club transfer funds.

Souness is targeting many players, one of them being Ranger’s defender Jean-Alain Boumsong and the Newcastle boss believes he can attract top quality players to Tyneside.

Souness said:

“I do not think attracting players to this football club is difficult,”

“But it would be very nice to be winning games, whether you are trying to attract players or not.”

There has also been speculation about players departing. Whinging Laurent Robert has been linked with a move to Spurs and Kieron Dyer is seeking a move away from Tyneside, Chelsea or Arsenal his preferred choice. Full-back Oliver Bernard has still not signed a new contract and as time goes on it is looking ever less likely.

Souness was not willing to say too much on those potentially leaving the club.

He said:

“Anything can happen in football,”

“There is a window coming up and I cannot speak for any manager out there who fancies ones of our players.”

“All we are concerned about is trying to win football matches and in trying to strengthen what we have got.”

There is also speculation of Bramble and Hughes leaving in the Boumsong transfer.