Source: Daily_Mail
David Sullivan: It's like being eaten alive in the transfer window bearpit
[LNB]Splashing the cash: West Ham owner David Sullivan[LNB]Maybe it is theposition we are in,but this has been themost stressful time Ican ever rememberin football. [LNB]Nobody wants tohelp, of course. Whyshould they? Money istight so it's a case ofdoing yourhomework and beingselective with yourgambling.[LNB]Yesterday, we signed18-year-old strikerPaul McCullum fromDulwich Hamlet for asmall fee. It couldprove to be thesigning of thewindow, if he fulfilshis potential. [LNB]A fewother clubs wantedhim, but we movedquickly; he's one forthe future and ourclub has a reputationfor giving young players a chance. We'llsee how he develops.[LNB]More immediately, Ittook us 10 days tocomplete the loansigning of Robbie Keanewith a view to thetransfer becomingpermanent, if WestHam stay in theBarclays PremierLeague.[LNB] In other words,I hope it is a permanentdeal. He is a very goodsigning and the fans willreally take to his styleof play. The Demba Badeal took three weeksto structure andcomplete and he willalso be an excitingcapture. [LNB]The transfer windowhas taken over my lifethis month. I knew I hadto do something andwe have signed fourplayers. Wayne Bridgeis another who hasmade an impact and,I hope, will continue tomake a difference. [LNB]Every phone call oremail from an agent isoffering another playerand fees are high again.Buys in the closingstages of the windoware often desperationbuys and clubsoverspend.[LNB] Look atFernando Torres, AndyCarroll and DarrenBent; those deals aredriven by rich, foreignowners, whose wealthis not subjected to thesame UK tax demandswe are. [LNB] Switch: Robbie Keane has joined West Ham on loan[LNB]It's all aboutodds and timing andluck. I remembersigning Roger Johnsonand Scott Dann forBirmingham and theycame out of theChampionship to forgean excellent PremierLeague centraldefensive partnership.It can happen. [LNB]This is a crazy time ofyear for doing businessand only the needystep into the market.You can sense ArseneWenger and Sir AlexFerguson sitting backand watching it allunfold with a sense ofcalm, in the knowledgetheir squads are fullyprepared for themonths ahead. [LNB]The rest of us have toget into the bear pitand fight for our lives.I was glad when 11pmarrived last night. Nowwe can get on with thefootball again.[LNB] LIVE: Deadline day - follow all the twists and turns of a bust deadline day Club-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryDon't worry, West Ham fans! Avram insists his January rebuilding will see Hammers climbing the table[LNB] Explore more:People: David Sullivan Places: United Kingdom
