2 Jan 2008Coppell: 'No logic' in January transfer window

The normally taciturn Steve Coppell has become the latest high-profile manager to attack the January transfer window.

Bolton manager Gary Megson recently derided the window as "rubbish" and "unfair", and believes it should be challenged in court.

Now Coppell has joined in the act, complaining that the window gives the media an opportunity to unsettle players and fans a "fire-sale mentality".

"The old system, where if you had a problem you could look at loans or make a short-term purchase, was far better than this system we have at the moment," Coppell explained in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Nobody has ever explained to me what the benefit (of a transfer window) is and people are putting in faxed offers when they've already been told there's no interest.

"The old way of doing business, where a verbal response was sufficient, is now being ignored."

There are currently two transfer windows - during the close season and the month of January - whereas before players could be traded without restriction.

The window was made compulsory for Premier League clubs by Fifa during the 2002/03 season, and for Football League and top-flight Conference clubs in the summer of 2005.

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