David Moyes selecting 'strongest possible XI' ahead of Everton vs Wolves clash
David Moyes is hoping to guide Everton to a domestic cup final this season as he eyes an end to the trophy drought.
That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Toffees' last major trophy came more than 30 years ago, when they won the FA Cup under the management of Joe Royal in 1995.
Moyes led Everton to the FA Cup final in 2009, but was denied by Chelsea and Frank Lampard and never went close again.
The Scot's team have started the season well, however, and will face Wolves on Wednesday for a chance to qualify for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Everton have seen the likes of Newcastle United and Crystal Palace end significant trophy droughts in recent years, with their own time eventually coming.
Everton cup win would be 'a breath of fresh air'
Changes to European competitions has provided fresh hope and a bigger opportunity of winning major trophies in recent years.
Teams from competitions above now no longer drop into the Conference League and the Europa League, somewhat paving the way for Crystal Palace's success in the former competition last season.
Everton will hope to qualify for one of those competitions, but will also not give up hope of repeating Newcastle's success in the domestic cups.
"They're not going to win the Premier League, are they, but they can certainly finish in a respectable position, as they've done with Moyes, as they've done with [Roberto] Martinez," King told Football Insider.
"But with Martinez, they got to two semi-finals, the FA Cup and the League Cup. Moyes, they got the cup final. It's always a big tradition with Everton.
"I mean, the FA Cup has a large tradition with Everton, and thinking the way that David Moyes thinks, he goes out every year, whatever football club he's been with, with an intention of trying to get the final. That's the way he is.
"And it's always a great boost, and I think they have a great chance. He seems not to be messing about with the teams in the Carabao Cup, and it'll be the same in the FA Cup. He looks as though he's putting out his strongest teams he can.
"It'd be a great reward for him, the new stadium, and the supporters, wouldn't it, if they did get to the final? It'd be a breath of fresh air, to be honest."
David Moyes' spiky cup reaction
Moyes was asked last month about Everton's aims in the cups this season, and his reaction was surprisingly cold.
"Of course we all want to win the cups," he explained. "Yes the cups are hugely important, would it be more important than staying in the Premier League?
"I'll ask you the question: Is winning a cup more important than staying in the Premier League? What would your answer be?"
However, it appears that behind the scenes, Moyes is placing significant important on the cups and will hope for a historic run this season.