Reading boss Steve Coppell has slammed the transfer windows system.
"It is part of football now but it is an artificial construction that only creates a feeding frenzy among the media."
Coppell was also annoyed that the Hammers - who ironically are tomorrow's visitors to the Madejski Stadium - had made their bid for England international Nicky Shorey public.
He said: "I must admit I long to go back to the days when a phone call would be made and business was done in private."