West Ham boss Sam Allardyce admits he is desperate to win a trophy as manager and dreams of leading the Hammers out for a final at Wembley.
Allardyce took Bolton to the final of the League Cup in 2004 but his side were beaten 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium by Middlesbrough.
The former Blackburn and Newcastle boss has forged a reputation for steering clubs to safety in the top flight but Allardyce would love to add some silverware to his record.
"It would be fantastic for me, to walk out your team out at Wembley - that's something you do this job for," said Allardyce, whose side play Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
"It's every player and every manager's dream. As the time slips by you realise how difficult it is.
"There are times when you get closer - in this competition there's always that piece of luck that you need.
"That might be in the draw. I spoke to Steve Bruce the other day and he said he got a very kind draw to get Hull through to the final last year.
"It can be a refereeing decision that takes you out or keeps you in, or it can be a lucky bounce or an own-goal.
"Those things need to go in your favour. But the players are going to have to be exceptionally good as well - you can't have an off day in the FA Cup or you're out."
West Ham have enjoyed an excellent campaign in the Barclays Premier League so far and currently sit seventh in the table, four points off the top four.
The Hammers have a tough run of games coming up, however, as they face Liverpool, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal in their next seven fixtures.
"We have to finish the season off - we have to be really steely and determined in our mental approach to the last 16 games and the FA Cup," Allardyce said.
"We have to make sure we don't fade away, which can easily happen.
"Everybody thinks we're safe in the league but it's about striving on and being even better than we've already been.
"It's the mentality and the attitude that will take them to those high places.
"It's got to the stage where people are getting disappointed even if you lose one game - that's what we've built, that's the expectation and we have to live with that."
If the Hammers can secure a place in the league's European places, it may help persuade on-loan midfielder Alex Song to join the club permanently from Barcelona in the summer.
Song has been one of West Ham's star performers this season and Allardyce admits he hopes the 27-year-old will extend his stay in East London.
"That lies with the financial side and with the chairman," Allardyce said.
"It will depend on whether Alex wants to stay or not. I certainly would like him to stay but whether that is financially feasible is another matter.
"Another club might entice him away or maybe he'll think staying and furthering his career at West Ham is something he'd want to do.
"But would I like him to stay? Yes I would."
Source: PA
