Sam: “Cup Final means more than Europa League.”

Sam Allardyce is desperate to take the Irons to a winning FA Cup Final appearance this season declaring: “Winning it, for me, has much greater kudos than qualifying for the Europa League. If you win the FA Cup, it’s time to party!”

He added: “There is absolutely nothing I would like more than to fill that gap on my management CV. No one wants to reach an FA Cup Final more than the players, the manager and his staff.

“This season, because we’ve done well in the Premier League, we can really go for it. Anyone who doubts that was not watching our two ties against Everton.

Writing in his London Evening Standard column he adds: “There’s nothing better and more exciting, nothing which will add more to the history of your club, than playing in an FA Cup Final — and winning it!

“When the memories of countless other challenges fade, the day out at Wembley will always stay in sharp focus — just ask the managers, players and fans of the clubs who have been there and done it.

Ask our supporters, the ones who went to Wembley to watch us take on Blackpool in the Championship Play-Off Final in 2012 how they enjoyed their day.

“It may not have been an FA Cup Final but the sheer joy of winning that match will never be forgotten, not by the players who played in it, not by me or the coaching staff — and certainly not by the fans.”