ANOTHER woeful result last Sunday against Stoke has plunged Evertonians back into despair after the encouraging results against Bolton Wanderers and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Much of the frustration from the fans was felt not just because we have lost at home to Stoke – who until relatively recently were plying their trade in the Championship – but because the one time Mersey Millionaires are so easily being outspent by teams who have not been in the Premier League for a substantial period of time.

On Sunday Stoke were able to start with Peter Crouch, a £10m signing from Spurs. Everton, meanwhile, lined-up with a £250,000 signing from a Greek second division side.

Clearly Apostolos Vellios has a future at Goodison, he’s a player with talent and great potential.

But to expect a youngster to lead the line against a side as physical and experienced as Stoke is inviting trouble.

The great fear now is that the Everton board’s lack of investment is finally beginning to drag David Moyes’ team down the league.

The manager himself said in the summer that for just a small investment in the squad, Everton FC could be challenging for the top six and possibly higher.

And there lies people’s frustration with Everton FC at the moment – the years of progress and improvement we have seen are threatening to be squandered.

The squad still has areas of real strength. There is a good core of talented young players like Fellaini, Rodwell and Barkley in the side. And experienced players like Baines and Jagielka provide a solid foundation.