Sky Sports was working itself up into a frenzy as the deadline approached with reporters posted on what seemed like every street corner.

I was scared to go out for my annual jog around East London in case I was mistaken for Sam Allardyce’s latest big-lad-at-the-back to shore up West Ham’s porous defence.

But perhaps the transfer window should apply to other industries as well.

Construction would certainly be a more interesting place if estimating departments, site teams and labour gangs were traded twice a year between rival contractors.

I can just see the industry’s equivalent of Harry Redknapp wearing a hard hat and telling anyone who will listen that the “little team of east European fellas will do a great job for us”.

Site agents would certainly earn more if they followed the football model and moved workers around from company to company for a cut of their wages.

You know there is too much money in football when Mr Ten Per Cents are multi-millionaires for doing little more than owning a mobile phone and a shiny suit.

And when Chris Samba costs £12.5m.

It could be time for me to go on a free transfer from this column after a barren few weeks.

But you have to get back on the horse and take another run at the bookies.

Swansea look way too big at 21/10 to beat West Ham – but I can’t tip against my own team.

All I’ll say is that the Hammers struggle against ball playing sides, are wide open to quick breaks and are clueless when the big punt doesn’t work.

Reading are a team on a roll and I like the look of them to beat Sunderland and Man City to take care of Liverpool in a double which pays a shade over 7/2.

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Running Total for all 2013 bets to a £10 stake:   £-50.00