David Moyes has laid out Sunderland’s intent in this season’s Emirates FA Cup, admitting he is in it to win it.
The Black Cats face Sean Dyche’s Burnley for a second time in just seven days when their Premier League counterparts visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
While Moyes’ side experienced a day to forget at Turf Moor on New Year’s Eve, the Lads welcome the Clarets rejuvenated after they collected a credible point against title-hopefuls Liverpool on Monday in the Premier League.
But as the Emirates FA Cup takes centre stage across the country this weekend, Moyes believes the historic cup competition is far from a distraction to the Premier League, insisting cup runs can inspire momentum.
“Of course you want to go through and with the Premier League I believe it’s important we try and keep our players fit for that,” he said.
“We are pleased because our performance picked up from our last league game against Burnley which meant we could go into these last three or four days feeling a bit more confident.
“We are in good fettle so hopefully we can show that again.
“I think in a positive way a good cup run can (help us). We don’t have European football and unfortunately we didn’t get through in the League Cup so we don’t have anything other in our way.
“Its Saturday games in the FA Cup, bar replays, so why would we not want to play in the FA Cup?”
He continued: “The key is to getting some momentum and players going out and showing what they can do.
“I can’t tell you one manager that doesn’t want to win the FA Cup and doesn’t approach the FA Cup with a massive importance.”
