Coppell hates transfer window

Reading manager Steve Coppell has expressed his hate for the January transfer window, believing clubs "scurrilous" transfer activity causes general distain around players linked with moves away from smaller sides.

"I don't anticipate losing any of my players," Coppell told BBC Radio 5 Live. "But I've had a couple of what I'd call scurrilous inquiries. I cannot see the logic in a transfer window."

He added: "It brings on a fire-sale mentality, causes unrest via the media and means clubs buy too many players."

The Royals boss has already had to deal with speculation that the likes of Stephen Hunt, Leroy Lita and Nicky Shorey could depart this month and is clearly not enamoured with the frenzy of activity the window inevitably heralds.

Coppell added: "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.

"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."