Far post: West Brom v Everton in bits
IT'S clear that one of the many barriers in Everton's way during this transfer window is the commitment to only recruiting players of the required quality.
It proves that you can set the bar so high, you hit the ceiling and run the risk of crashing back to the floor.
A problem today's opponents Albion don't have - their required standard of player is on the shop shelf marked 'good enough to stay up' and inevitably gives clubs with that aim a greater pool to choose from.
Which explains why Everton are targeting Sporting Lisbon's 21-year-old captain and Portugal Euro 2008 star Joao Moutinho as their record signing.
And why WBA this week decided to smash their previous highest fee for Borja Valero - a Real Madrid reject who made as many sub appearances as he did starts for Real Mallorca lact season.
Everton could, however, learn a thing or two from the swift way today's opponents acted to get their man, however, making their move just a week after they watched him in a pre-season friendly - against West Brom.
WORDS OF WISDOM
"Okay, they've lost a striker, but on their day they are a pretty awesome team."
Tony Mowbray slightly under-estimates Everton's player deficit
"I'm sure they'd rather come to us than go to Old Trafford."
And the Albion manager clearly can't remember Everton's last trip to The Hawthorns
"Everton is classed as a category 'A' team - so take it as a compliment!"
One Baggies fan urges Evertonian rivals to look on the bright side of their ticket price for today - £40
FANCY A BET?
Paddy Power and Boyle Sports offer 125-1 on Albion winning 4-0 - even though this would merely match the score of their last home meeting with Everton in the Premier League in November 2005.
But the long odds aren't too much of a surprise considering that Jonathan Greening is likely to be the only survivor from that Albion side, who were relegated that season and didn't even manage to score three in any other game.
The phrase 'freakish one-off' springs to mind.
GET YOUR KIT ON
THE new fluorescent yellow third kit pictured in yesterday's Daily Post and being worn for the first time at the Hawthorns today, will be available to fans form October 7.
BLUES have a chance to vote on their Man of the Match from today's games - just go to www.evertonbanter.co.uk and follow the 'Man of the Match' links.
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Less of the scared banter you Toffs and let the football do the talking this afternoon. I wouldn't mind 125-1 for another 4-0. Dave, Birmingham. Come on you Baggies!