Kinnear also said: “We have definitely had discussions with the ownership and David about how we use the Carabao Cup and FA Cup to give the fans something to really cheer and get behind.”
Former Everton and England midfield man Leon Osman told BBC Sport: “I was a bit surprised at the statement and at the timing because, as Moyes said, I don’t think anyone was saying for much of last season that not getting into Europe was a failure.
“I do think when you get on the cusp of something and it slips away, it can feel like you’ve failed, but I would call it a disappointment rather than a failure because so often in the last five years, before David Moyes took over, Everton have been trying to keep their heads above water by staying in the Premier League.”
Moyes bristled, questioning whether journalists were “dead stupid” when asked about the importance of cup competitions, and spirits will have been lifted by the convincing second-round Carabao Cup win at Preston North End.
Kinnear said in the same interview that Everton’s squad was “in a good place” – although added there was work to do.
Moyes sounded a markedly more cautious note, warning fans not to get carried away with an opening Premier League win against Crystal Palace and victory at Deepdale.
It is clear Moyes wants TFG to deliver more backing before the transfer window closes to improve, and bolster, a squad which ran out of steam so badly last season.
He said: “For us to be a side which is competitive, I still think we have got a lot of work to do. Hopefully we are able to try and do some of it.
“We need more players. Our squad is not big enough and we need to get more quality in some areas if we can do.
“I’m not sure we will, but it’s not for me and the want of trying, that’s for sure.”
The messages were certainly mixed, adding to a summer of mixed fortunes in the transfer market, that even led to Prime Minister and fanatical Evertonian Andy Burnham to comment on one of the hot topics when he said: “There is one thing I would just ask, sign a right-back.”
This is what makes the final few days of the transfer window so vital for Moyes, who is in the final year of his contract, and Everton.
And it will not simply be about incomings. Moyes will be desperate to hang on to Iliman Ndiaye, the inspirational forward who has been central to his plans.
Everton have signed the PFA Championship player of the year Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. Christian Norgaard will provide experience from Arsenal as a replacement for departed veteran Idrissa Gueye, while deals for young German Merlin Rohl and England under-21 winger Tyrique George, on loan last season, were confirmed. Brennan Johnson arrived from Crystal Palace in a straight swap with Dwight McNeil.
Moyes, however, makes it plain he does not think this is enough.
So now Everton’s fans must wait to see if owners, chief executive and manager can reach a meeting of minds to give Moyes what he wants and demonstrate exactly what TFG’s ambitions are.
Dan Friedkin, the club’s billionaire chairman, has not attended any Everton games and while absences are not uncommon among American owners, there still lurks a suspicion among Toffees’ fans that TFG’s interest is more piqued by their Serie A giants Roma, who are in the Champions League.
And despite such a promising start, questions still remain, especially that vexed matter of a right-back that has become such a bone of contention among Everton fans.