Leighton Baines admits Everton are 'desperate' to embark on a cup run this season and end their long wait for major silverware.
Toffees defender hoping to make his way back to Wembley
Leighton Baines admits Everton are 'desperate' to embark on a cup run this season and end their long wait for major silverware.
The Toffees have gone 16 years since they last got their hands on a trophy, but are eyeing the 2012 FA Cup as an opportunity to get back on the podium.
David Moyes' men came agonisingly close to lifting that particular prize in 2009, only to fall at the final hurdle in a Wembley showdown with Chelsea.
That run whetted the appetite of those at Goodison Park and they are hoping to go one better this time around.
Ahead of a fifth round meeting with Championships side Blackpool on Saturday, Baines told the club's
official website: "It is a massive game for us.
"We are desperate for a cup run as we know how much we all enjoyed it last time."
The terms of Steven Pienaar's loan agreement from Tottenham mean he will be ineligible for the Seasiders clash, but Baines says the South African playmaker has been a welcome addition to the Goodison Park ranks since returning to Merseyside for a second spell.
Dynamic
"He is such a good player he makes a massive difference and in the last couple of games he has changed the dynamic of the team and he gives us something totally different," he said.
"He can take the ball in any situation and is the link between back to front and definitely gives us a different side to our game."
Another loan signing Denis Stracqualursi, who joined in August from Argentinian club Tigres, has started to find his feet in recent weeks and has scored twice in his last four matches.
"Denis has worked so hard over the last couple of months, he works his socks off every single day and the lads couldn't be happier for him," added Baines.
"As long as you have that you give yourself a chance and the fans and us have taken to him because of it.
"He has fitted in nicely and a goal will boost his confidence."
