By Chris Kirwan
November 15 2002

Despite David Moyes constantly confirming that there is no money available to strengthen his squad, ‘Tribal Football’ continues to persist with their rumour of Everton swooping for the Italian striker that nobody has heard of.

Firstly, any Evertonian knows that Everton rarely “swoop” for a player, as that gives an image of competence, but Tribal Football also claim that the Blues will part with £6 million for the honour. Moyes told Channel 5’s Football Night that when he took the job he knew that there was not much money to spend, and that this hasn’t changed. He went on to state that it was highly unlikely that he would be adding to his current squad come January. So why do Tribal Football have to keep this ridiculous rumour going? I know that the whole purpose of such sites is to get peoples attention with ridiculous rumours, but can they not come up with a new one every now and then. At least when they link Carsten Jancker it’s something different.

Even if Moyes had money to spend I very much doubt that a striker would be a priority. Although it looks as though Duncan will continue to sit on the sidelines, he has plenty of cover for the in-form partnership of Campbell and Radzinski in the shape of Rooney and Chadwick. A more likely target would be a winger, so can Tribal Football not provide us with a link for Gianluigi Lentini? or why not go the whole hog and have a rumour of Moyes persuading Anders Limpar to come out of retirement?

In other news:
-Scot Gemmill has rejected rumours that he wants to leave the club, he says unless Moyes tells him otherwise he’d love to stay at Goodison. Although Gemmill isn’t the most talented midfielder ever it’s good news for Moyes, as with Linderoth injured Gemmill provides welcome cover for the midfield.
-Stubbs is set to be fit for Sunday’s tough clash with Blackburn. Moyes has good cover anyway in the shape of David Weir.
-Leon Osman has been barred from playing for Carlisle in the FA Cup.
-Whereas Gemmill will not be going to Stoke, their boss Tony Pulis is a mate of Moyes’ and will try and pull a few strings, with Peter Clarke a mooted target.
-The game at White Hart Lane on January 12 is on Pay Per View.