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Co-owner David Sullivan insists it's a 'backhanded compliment' that West Ham failed to sign any of their deadline day transfer targets.
As revealed by Standard Sport, the Hammers were keen to bring Tottenham duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Younes Kaboul to Upton Park.
But the Spurs captain opted to stay and fight for his place at White Hart Lane, while Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy put the buffers on the deal for Togolese striker Adebayor.
Late frustration lead to fellow owner David Gold to take to Twitter and bemoan the breaking down of the deal, but Sullivan admits it's a compliment to progress West Ham have made this season.
"We thought we had one experienced Premier League striker lined up, only for his club to pull out of the deal at the last minute," said Sullivan in a statement released on the club's official website.
"I think we take the reasons they gave as a backhanded compliment.
"With our improvements on the field and our increased success off it meaning we are now viewed as rivals that shouldn't be dealt with."
"It was widely reported that Carlton Cole was in talks to join West Bromwich Albion, but we made clear he could only leave if a suitable replacement was found."
London clubs: Winners and losers in the January transfer window
In addition to Kaboul, the Hammers were also interested in signing veteran defender Slyvain Distin from Everton, while their were reports that they could even return for Wolves centre back Roger Johnson - who spent a spell on loan at Upton Park last season - before his eventual deadline day move to Charlton Athletic.
"We prioritised that position and targeted two experienced Premier League defenders but could not reach an agreement with them over the length of their deals," Sullivan continued.
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"I can assure you that the absence of any deals was certainly not through lack of trying but I am satisfied that doing no deadline-day business is better than doing the wrong business."
