Moyes and Everton: no panic buying in January transfer window

In the end Moyes did what he said he would. If he felt that one/two loans could have been done if they brought value to the club. Its only fair that if a player's going to be here and unlikely to get even a sniff behind an established player that you tell that player beforehand. Honesty and integrity.

No clubs are out spending. Everton reportedly looked at Norwegian left back Knut Olav RindarÃşy, but after a trial the valuation placed on him by Molde FK didn't match, Everton's valuation - particularly for a standby left back behind Leighton Baines in the squad. Everton also signed another goal keeper in a pre-contract arrangement - Slovakian international goalkeeper Jan Mucha. He joins in the summer, bringing international experience to compete with Tim Howard. Phillipe Senderos joined as cover for still recovering Jagielka, injured/ACN Yobo, Distin who has broken down several times now, and the departed Lucas Neill who we couldn't stand in front of as a 32 year old getting a longer contract extension, whilst more than covering his stay at Goodison financially in the process.

Then there is all the circulating commentary around Beckford at Leeds United, thanks to Simon Grayson. Throughout - EFC have stayed tight lipped. Giving absolutely nothing away. What did Moyes say about dignity? Not a word has come out of Everton on the matter and is unlikely to until the summer as well.

Unfortunately, summer-contract free Adam Johnson moved for a large fee to the undignified ones. One "target" we missed but its noticeable that no other club would meet the same valuation in any event, especially for a player who would be out of contract in several months.

The fact is many clubs now have tight cash flows. Everton do have money to spend if they need to (including an agreed secured-overdraft facility that was secured at the height of the 2008 financial crisis). Knut Olav RindarÃşy showed the club won't pay over the odds. What is the point spending money on a position arguably Phil Neville and Seamus Coleman in an emergency could cover. We are not in September. The injuries front is much better, with growing fitness in the returning players. The spine of the team is back and with the acquisitions that Moyes has brought means that we can slot people in where needed with minimal disruption. The certain players may not yet be able to play 90 minutes quite yet but things can be juggled to "manage" them back to full fitness.

Was there a need for Everton to spend? No. Not really. Spending money would have been a luxury, but its a luxury many clubs no longer have.

No to panic buying. Everton should only go for player's David Moyes the manager wants and has followed for a long time which bring value (playing/financial) to the club. Players who aren't on their way out of their careers (remember the Walter Smith period?), but players Moyes can make better and who fit in. So called "strategic buys", that may not light everyone's fire immediately but with some work from Moyes really take the club forward. Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini are examples of this.

The Yak and the striking situation is one that we can manage through, purely because of the quality of our attacking midfield, but it's up to the midfield to take the slack. The Yak's fitness will come back, James Vaughn can show us just what he has with a sustained period of fitness. The returning Anichebe showed again he's a can be an important player, not necessary as a striker, I do like him coming out wide tiring defenders just can't handle him at all. On Saha, well its a question of Moyes continuing to see just what he can get out of him. He's gone off the boil, his heads gone down - but this is when we see good management. To get him back scoring again.

What with the kids coming through - spending for spending sake would not have been appropriate. It's your and my money that funds these transfers. I'd rather see Coleman given an opportunity and bringing someone else in would limit this. Buying in, hampers our developing players. Its about striking the right balance. How many of us want to see the younger lads slot in to the side when needed? I suspect plenty of Evertonians do.