West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has played down Carlton Cole's frustration over not getting a move to West Bromwich Albion.
Sullivan wrote on whufc.com: "... it was widely reported that Carlton Cole was in talks to join West Bromwich Albion, but we made clear he could only leave if a suitable replacement was found.
"We thought we had one experienced Premier League striker lined up, only for his Club to pull out of the deal at the last minute. I think we take the reasons they gave as a backhanded compliment, with our improvements on the field and our increased success off it meaning we are now viewed as rivals that shouldn't be dealt with!"
