West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce can't hide his frustration over their winter market.
Allardyce lost out to Everton at the 11th hour last week in his bid to sign Monaco striker Lacina Traore.
He told the Daily Star: "The volatility of this window is pretty ferocious on the basis that you can't think you are going to sign somebody until he has signed on the dotted line.
"You never know what is going to happen.
"I've had players pinched from the hotel, I've had them pinched from the airport when everything has been agreed. I genuinely threaten to sack the secretary if he doesn't get the paperwork done to sign the player that day.
"Even though it could be 11.30 at night you can't leave them in the hotel and come and sign in the morning because from my experience that is very dangerous.
"It is ruthless because there are few players available in this window and this season than ever before. We all end up chasing the same player.
"I thought I had Lacina Traore the other day when I was sat with the sporting director of Monaco just about to sign the papers. And all of a sudden it didn't happen."
