THE manager continually linked to signing Saints striker Rickie Lambert has spoken of his January transfer window frustration.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has seen a succession of potential targets come to nothing.

Allardyce today conceded a deal for Lacina Traore is “dead” after the Monaco striker seemed to chose Everton over the Hammers.

Mooted moves for Lambert - who Allardyce has constantly been linked with - Johnny Heitinga, Ishak Belfodil and Joleon Lescott have not materialised.

The only players to put pen to paper at Upton Park are Wolves loanee Roger Johnson, Peterborough teenager Jaanai Gordon and striker Carlton Cole, who has signed a contract extension until the end of the season.

“This is mad January,” Allardyce said.

“It's a lunatic transfer window that creates havoc throughout the game.

“To say I'm frustrated (with how the window has gone so far) would be an under-statement.

“You pass the day by not knowing how quick the time has gone.

“You get up in the morning and you come in and sometimes you think it's lunch time and it's about four o' clock and you have missed it.

“You think to yourself: ‘I wondered why I was feeling so hungry!’ “You have got so many balls up in the air and in the mean time you have got to get your team out on the field playing as well.”