Moyes reiterates: 'No New Signings'

But then we all know the many disappointments too. Transparent attempts at subterfuge? Or for once are we being levelled with?

Answers on a match programme by Jan 31st....

The likes of Gibson came in on a shoestring and the likes of Pienaar came in on loan. I'd be happy if a couple of signings of this calibre appeared.

I would also look to move Victor on sooner rather than later... a total waste of time and it could raise some funds for a new face.

And here's one from left field. Fat Frank as another loanee.

Then come with the usual wet sail post Xmas and we're sorted.

Need to have a thread for "Moyesisms" — he does come out with some corkers.

Not entirely sure why January is worse than summer for signings anyway, must be something to do with hibernation.

Surely if a decent lad becomes available, it doesn't matter what season it is!

Bemused.

But the most worrying aspect is that we have to soldier on whilst our direct rivals will inevitably boost their sqauds with quality and numbers. Obviously DM thinks it is better to keep Baines or Fellaini et al rather then sell them in order to acquire new players to challenge for Europe this season.

Then of course there is the 'contract' problem of the manager, will he sign or won't he? As usual the Owner and the board are giving nothing away to the fans and this is leading to conjecture and speculation which will only grow as the season goes on.

If Moyes leaves Everton, the new manager will be in the unenviable position of having to sell our star players, hardly a great way to start your career in a new job is it?

If we fail to make Europe this season then it will serve to highlight the shortcomings of the Owners and the Board of Directors as it seems more likely that David Moyes will be motivating a new team next season somewhere other than Goodison Park.

Unlike Leeds United and Portsmouth we appear to be sliding down the same road – at a slower speed – without any of the glory and memories that their fans enjoyed.

Of course BK and DM may be bluffing and a grand war chest will be found and new players signed without losing any, but Christmas has been and gone so it's back to reality with a bump.

Big Sam anyone?

"Big Sam anyone?" Are you simple? Yeah, and let's get Hughes in as his number 2. Dear me...

Why would any new manager have to sell his players? Surely the only crumb of comfort in managing our poorly funded team would be the high quality of the existing players.

Anyway l have my head deep in the sand and am expecting David Moyes to have found us the next Iniesta this time next year.

I'd be amazed if Heitinga remains. He will generate some funds, and also importantly free up some wages for someone else – he's reportedly on £60k a week which for someone who doesn't start is too much. He's clearly not going to sign a new contract so we need to get what we can and move on. Time will tell if it's the cheap Norwegian or Lescott. I suspect it will be a younger player as the core of the side is hitting 30 (again).

Spurs suffered last January by not buying a striker and it cost them what looked like a top 3 shout, and then we all know Chelsea gazumped them by winning the CL. Let's see what happens; hopefully there will be early additions rather than last minute though.

I would if possible move Heitinga on, but only him, I don't think his head is in the right place and on performances alone the only player I would be willing to sell if we can get a good price for him.
Maybe Forren would be a good signing as he's cheap?

So one cheap signing and a couple of loans would be our business but it does ultimately depend on who goes.

Hardly an even playing field! How we could use just £10m...

How about:
i) Vadis-etc-etc - loan with view to summer deal (as we effectively tried in the summer)
ii) David Villa loan as striker
iii) Lescott loan at centre back to cover

If we get £4M from Heitinga and have £2-3M left over after loan fees, then maybe we also try and bring in a young winger (although with Pienaar Oviedo, Mirallas and Coleman we do have options).

I know he appears to be off the table, but I wouldn't object to landing Landon for another go either as he can play up front and on the flanks.

Heitinga out

Hoarau on loan, Lescott on loan, possibly a cheapo midfielder like Holden or Mark Davies from Bolton, or someone from the Championship, although with another striker we can drop Fellaini into midfield (two players for the price of one).

It would be such a waste if we fall short of Champions League football because of a lack of squad depth.

This is Everton and there seems to be a lack of ambition. Moyes does not instill me with confidence with comments like "no signings this window". Surely a month ago he would have been planning something. No, the dithering dour Scot hasn't completely gone away... as ever, the true colours emerge.

Time Kenwright sold out and we got some investment to compete; the team that Moyes has built is the best squad in eleven seasons. After the first eleven, it's pretty paltry but then again half of the bench warmers get little or no time to prove themselves.

What exactly does Duffy and Vellios have to do to get an extended run in the side? These kids are the future and giving Barkely 10-minute cameos is downright pathetic. Are you telling me that Naismith is better than Barkley?

Maybe when Moyes fucks off to the Bundy League we can get the Wigan boss in as they do play a decent brand of football.

So lets see what we do with the Barcodes? 1-0 will suffice.