Everton manager David Moyes said he felt "sad" his side had been unable to match the progress of Premier League title-chasers Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Wednesday's clash at White Hart Lane.
It was only a few seasons ago the two clubs were vying for European qualification but if Tottenham win on Wednesday they will move to within three points of league leaders Manchester City.
By contrast, Everton will kick-off in north London 18 points behind Spurs.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has been well supported in the transfer market by his board but Moyes has had to operate on a 'make do and mend' basis given the inability of Everton chairman and theatre impresario Bill Kenwright to sell the Merseyside club to a wealthier backer.
Moyes, reflecting on the current gap between Spurs and Everton, said: "It is a little bit sad they are starting to pull away from us a little bit more than I would like.
"I think it was only three or four years ago us and Tottenham were competing neck-and-neck for European places," the Scot added.
"It is frustrating because all managers will tell you when you are close and competing with teams you never like to see them go away from you, but we are looking at them going away from us at this present time.
"They have continued to kick on and over the years they have got in some really good players. Rafael Van der Vaart is one and Scott Parker another recently.
"Tottenham, arguably, might be the biggest spenders in the Premier League -- they have always supported whoever the manager has been.
"Football will always come back around sometime and some day hopefully they will be looking at the back of us.
"At the moment it unfortunately looks as if you need a bit of finance to get it back, but it would be nice to think we could do it the way we have done it.
"We will work really hard and try to bring in players, produce our own players here, work with them, develop them and try to make them better.
"That is how we do it at Everton, we don't do it any other way."
However, Moyes stressed there was more to Spurs' rise than transfer spending alone and praised the role of Redknapp in the team's advance up the table.
"They have a really good team and are title contenders. I think Harry mentioned it last season that he thought he was quite close," he added.
"I agreed with him because I thought we had a good chance last year of making the Champions League.
"Harry has come in and done a brilliant job with them and that is why, more than likely, it might see him become England manager.
"I think it would be great for England and deservedly so because he has a really exciting team, I think a team I would probably pay to go to watch,
"What they are doing and the way they are playing is terrific."
Source: AFP
Source: AFP