I'm going to reserve my judgement until the transfer window has closed. But quite frankly I fear the worst. We can't live in a parallel universe where DM's valuations are less than others are prepared to pay. We've got the nucleus of a great squad. If we don't now take steps to strengthen it in key areas it will be a massive betrayal. But for now, as I said, I will wait - and hope!

Heard from a bloke who should reasonably know such things that DM's budget for the summer is £12 mill, plus any other funds raised. DM is determined to get full value for money for his spondooleys, hence the reason why Koumas and Nugent aren't coming. There will be new faces, but it will be a long hard slog!

Why all the fuss over Koumas and Nugent?

OK Nugent is a good prospect and indeed wanted to play for Everton but at £6M is overpriced for an unproven premiership player. Also I don?t think he did himself any favours in the U21 tournament. I know we are his team but what kind of pressure would coming to Everton have put on him, let the lad develop; at this time I think he was not for us.

As for Koumas ?So What. There is no way that he is worth £5.5M plus wages of £15M over the time of his contract. Don?t forget he wasn?t exactly outstanding the last time he was in the Prem and does tend to go missing.

I believe that there are better options still out there- maybe the club is thinking instead of paying transfer fees lets see who we can get on loan and pay the fees in wages as Bolton did successfully under Allardyce. (Maybe Parry knows something and is trying to stop us via the back door the interfering fucker).

Maybe this was the reason that Arteta and Cahil could be signed to longer new contracts on better wages ? Maybe Fernandes will come back on a season loan as no-one seems to be mentioning him and Maybe the Requieme story was let out prematurely as I have read somewhere, who knows.

I know there are a lot of "maybe"s in here but until midnight on 31 August I will continue to hope that Moyes and Kenwright have players targeted and are in the latter stages of negotiations, if not then I will wait and see.

Firstly a quote from the man himself from the offical website.... "We got players in early last year and it went well. We've got Phil in just now and we're hoping to add more to that so we can get the benefit of some pre-season time with them." Now, I don't think David Moyes is stupid, or for that matter dishonest so I'm prepared to take what he's said at face value and hold out for "more".

With regard to the Koumas and Nugent situation...has anybody even considered that Moyes DIDN'T want these players and that the papers were just doing their usual sterling job. Think about it! Koumas £5.3m, Nugent £6m. Now considering what the general consensus on here and othe EFC websites believe to be "fair" values for these two, by my reckoning the club would have paid around £4-4.5m over the odds in total, if we have bought them. That could equate to the purchase of another player altogther!

I know there's a feeling that "market forces" dictate the price of players and that Everton should just fork out the going rate to get the players they want but unfortunately we don't have the dosh to do that. Having said all that, we managed sixth last season, and that's by a club thats "totally skint, poorly managed financially, in total disarray in all areas, and on the verge of collapse (if you listen to some doom mongerers). Imagine where we'd be if we had a few bob. I'll only be truly demoralised if come kick off day we've signed nobody else !

Did my usual hourly check of Toffeeweb yesterday to find the site was down. Hurray! Ken Buckley was right - there's something big going down at GP and the TW boys are off with pencils in hand for the scoop of the century!!

Today - reality bites. We've been beaten to one of our alleged targets by none other than Wigan. Nugent looks set for Pompey and there isn't even got anything new in the Rumour Mill - never mind hard facts.

Not trying to make any point in partiular. There's still time after all. But God this is a frustrating summer and venting my spleenon here is quite cathartic!

Hey ho. COYB.

Glad someone else has stated the obvious that neither Nugent or Koumas are that great or Koumas in particular would have been snapped up years ago by someone else in the Prem or our goodselves when we were linked to him last time.
On the Nugent point - I think a few people are blinkered by the fact that he’s an Evertonian - but the question is whether he can cut it or not. And £6 million is a lot to gamble on - AJ had a season in the Prem and showed that he could cut it before we splashed the cash on him, and we can’t afford to risk it. Plus, surely next season it’ll be between Beattie & Cahill to partner AJ with both Vaughan, Anichebe & McFadden as back up - thats more than enough to cover.
I think the moves that we will see in the transfer market will be in midfield in defence with a left winger/left mid looking likely with a n other creative centre mid, and at least one of a new LB or CB for cover.

I have to agree with Ged Simpson and say that I reckon Moyes should & will bring in say 2 more good utility players. Who could well be Richardson & Smith for a total of 7.5M.

We need to relalize we havent got the cash for many more players than that, and that amount would take us to that bandied about 12M Quid.

Havent seen alot of Richardson but having the two of them this season with UEFA Cup and all makes sense. KR can go left back or left mid & AS can go upfront & centre midfield. Both not world beaters I agree but compared with last seasons squad, they will raise the level of ’class’ (for want of a better word) of our squad.

This is the only way we can go this year. With the money we havent got it will take Moyes another 2~3 seasons for most Evertonians to be happy with the squad. Yes AS & KR are Man U but I would still take them as very good squad players over Pistone, Kilbane etc any day.

Get Fernandes back for another loan, and I’ll be looking forward to this season!

With our limited funds and football being a squad game these days, that is the reality of the market EFC can deal in at the moment.

Simple as that!

I have to agree with Ged Simpson and say that I reckon Moyes should & will bring in say 2 more good utility players. Who could well be Richardson & Smith for a total of £7.5M.

We need to relalize we havent got the cash for many more players than that, and that amount would take us to that bandied about 12M Quid.

Haven't seen alot of Richardson but having the two of them this season with UEFA Cup and all makes sense. KR can go left back or left mid & AS can go upfront & centre midfield. Both not world beaters I agree but compared with last seasons squad, they will raise the level of 'class' (for want of a better word) of our squad.

This is the only way we can go this year. With the money we havent got it will take Moyes another 2~3 seasons for most Evertonians to be happy with the squad. Yes AS & KR are Man U but I would still take them as very good squad players over Pistone, Kilbane etc any day.

Get Fernandes back for another loan, and I'll be looking forward to this season! With our limited funds and football being a squad game these days, that is the reality of the market EFC can deal in at the moment. Simple as that!

Do some people on this site actually watch everton Beattie or Cahill to partner AJ !!!!
Young vaughan should and will be first choice no matter who comes thats why he saved his cash on nugent him and anichebe have saved Billyfuckingbullshits bacon

I take it Moyes has some wonder signings up his sleeve or to pull out of his hat after two potential Everton targets have now gone. How did two players who wanted to play for Everton get away from us? Moyes is supposed to be all for building for the future with young players and here two go elsewhere. So who is coming in? By the looks of things he will be bringing in journeymen who just want to play football every week regardless of who they play for as long as it is away from the club who bench them week-in week-out. Nugent and Koumas have the potential, and had a passion to play for the club they love and WANT to play for. I am at a loss as to what the Board and Moyes wants in players. I am really really stumped for an answer? Anyone enlighten me?