THE BOSS AND THE SUMMER

I PAY scant attention to scare stories about Moyes’s contract and its, as yet, lack of a ginger signature.
Everton’s continued progress means national sports editors demand their hacks write something about our club and, grasping for a line, too often they reach for the flimsy and fantastical.

That’s just the way it is.
But one aspect of the whole thing does give me pause for thought, and it’s Moyes quietly persistent references to his summer transfer kitty.
Takes these few pars from the Daily Mail;
‘The relationship between Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright remains excellent and reports suggest they will discuss the situation in the summer.
‘But not only will Kenwright have to come up with an acceptable offer for Moyes, he will also have to give assurances about transfer budgets.
‘Moyes has spent a fraction of what Rafa Benitez has at Liverpool and yet is pushing his illustrious neighbour hard for the fourth Champions League spot.
‘Moyes must wonder how much longer he can perform such miracles without the extra cash’.
Now you might say, I believe anything in that right-wing rag as much as I’d want to sit by Heather Mills on a long-haul flight.
But, they’ve got this one right I reckon.
I think Moyes is getting frustrated with the financial glass ceiling of the Premier League’s top four.
He hinted as much after Chelsea knocked us out of the Carling Cup with a second-string side packed with big money, big talent signings like Alex, Sean Wright Philips and Florent Malouda.
It’s like he realises that organisation, work ethic and a sprinkling of very good players can take us far - but only so far (cup semi finals, last 16 in Europe, hovering around the top four/five).
The problem is that, in order for Moyes to get the big bucks this summer, he must guide us to fourth and that elusive Champions League cash cow.
Bill Kenwright will do everything he can, he’d probably sell batteries on Greatie, but the fact is we’re still pretty skint.
I suspect that if we finish fifth - which let’s face it, would be great relatively speaking - Moyes will get around £10m to spend. Maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less.
And that could be the period when his mind is focused and he begins to wonder where he’ll work next, and whether he can land a job which would free him from haggling over loan players or just missing out on mediocres to mid-table clubs.
That said, the club has done its best to prove its ambition by tying up contracts for Arteta, Cahill, Carlsey and now, most happily, Lescott.
It’s something that we don’t have to worry about for now. Let’s just get behind the fight for fourth and hope it comes off.
Because if this squad have proven anything so far, it's that they're at their best when adversity comes calling.

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