Allardyce frustrated by 'Mad January'

  • by Staff Writer
  • Monday, 20th January 2014

Sam Allardyce wore the expression of a troubled man as he faced a grilling over West Ham's transfer policy and inability to land any significant transfer targets this January.

The current Hammers boss, who was thwarted in his attempts to land Lacina Traore on loan last week has thus far managed to sign only Roger Johnson from League One Wolves and persuade Carlton Cole to accept an extended 18-month contract.

That's despite a joint-statement from the Club's owners, released on January 6 in which it was stated that "we are pleased to confirm we are close to securing one of our key striking targets" and "a defender is high on the list of priorities as well and progress is being made on that front".

The Hammers are unlikely to be boosted by any fresh faces ahead of tomorrow's visit of Manchester City for the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi final - a situation that Allardyce finds particularly irksome.

"Frustrated is an understatement based on the number of deals we've tried to secure in the last six to eight weeks," he said. "But as frustrated as we are - and our need is probably greater than everybody else's because of our problems at the minute - finding the right players is very difficult, in our experience, across the Premier League. There are very few deals happening.

"Mad January. Lunatic transfer window that creates havoc throughout the game for four weeks and probably two weeks before it starts through rumours. That creates a stir inside your football club which is not healthy. For us this period has been particularly difficult, with the problems that we have at the moment.

"The transfer window adds to that, but it's something that we have to deal with."

Allardyce also re-confirmed the situation regarding Monaco striker Traore, and his belief that the deal had been well and truly scuppered. "It looks very doubtful from our point of view," he stated. "That was a particular disappointment because of the quality of the player we'd secured, bar a signature.

"When it came down to a signature it didn't happen, unfortunately.

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