“We can restore Everton to where it belongs and that is at the top of English football.

“Regardless of the result on Saturday this has got to be the start of a sustained period of success. It has got to be.

“It is not going to be the end of the journey on Saturday win or lose. This is just the start.”

Meanwhile, it may be the biggest game of his managerial career to date but don’t expect too many surprises from David Moyes tomorrow.

Fresh from leading his side to a second successive fifth place finish in the Premier League, the Everton manager is adamant he will approach the FA Cup final in the same manner he does every game – to win.

It’s a habit the Scot and his squad have developed ever since he took the reins at Goodison in 2002. But there’s no secret; no science – just hard work and preparation, says Moyes.

“I’ve been asked in numerous interviews where it all started,” he told evertonTV.

“People want to know more about me and how it’s all come around but as far as I’m concerned I’ll go to the game, I’ll prepare and I’ll try to keep it the same as for every game. That’s the way I do it.

“You’ve got to turn up for every game and do the best you can and, if you do that, nobody can argue. That’s the approach I’ve taken – nothing scientific, nothing too clever – just that the next game is the next game and we have to deal with it.”