A report today suggested Barclays Premier League clubs were in discussions about scrapping the January window after concerns were raised about the manner in which business was being done.

Bruce's club have suffered as much as any this month, and in midweek he complained bitterly about the tactics employed by rival clubs who went public with their interest in players.

He lost influential midfielder Wilson Palacios to Tottenham for £14million but only after Manchester City expressed an interest.

Before Wigan's match with Liverpool on Wednesday Bruce labelled City's conduct "a disgrace" for allegedly unsettling the Honduras international when he was on the verge of signing a new contract with the Latics.

He would prefer a change back to the system where clubs were able to sign players up to a given point in March or, failing that, a block on all transfers after the campaign was under way.

"I'm definitely not a fan. For a club like us it is a nightmare," he said.

"It only benefits the big clubs who are awash with money and desperation.

"Admittedly there are times when I've used the transfer window - I remember when I signed Christophe Dugarry at Birmingham and he saved our season - but on the whole I don't think it is fair.

"I think the system we had before was the best way in that if you needed someone you could go get them.

"It would stop this chaos which comes about because for a little club like ours it is hopeless."