THE arrival of the January transfer window offers Everton the temptation to spend money to bolster their chances of Champions League qualification.

But I just don’t see the Goodison outfit chasing their tail to try and finish fourth.

Any new arrivals are likely to be loan signings, and then Everton will take their chances with what they have. It’s a bit frustrating for supporters, who see this as a real chance of a top-four finish should the club speculate to accumulate.

But that’s just the way it is. Everton don’t have the resources of Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur, teams they are competing with for that fourth place.

In any case, January is a dangerous market. I know Everton had a good one last year and their signings proved a massive catalyst for what was to follow. But that was very much a rarity.

To be honest, fourth place is going to be between Tottenham and Arsenal.

Everton need to cut their cloth accordingly. After all, if they go for broke it might have a knock-on effect in the summer transfer window, when they might need even more new faces.

It’s sad in a way, but there’s not much that can be done about it. I’m sure Arsenal and Tottenham fans find it a little sad they can’t challenge for the title.

It’s very easy to go and spend money you haven’t got. But Everton have to run their business in a way the club doesn’t go bankrupt.

I’ve always said that injuries would be the key to Everton’s top-four hopes. When everybody is fit, you fancy David Moyes’s side against most teams.