Leon Osman desperate to end trophy drought - Everton FC latest

IT WAS the proud moment in the spotlight which Evertonians had craved for 14 long years.Everton's dramatic FA Cup run last season had it all. Two fraught stalemates against Liverpool before a last-minute victory at Goodison, then a heart-stopping semi-final triumph over Manchester United.Then that sunny day in May arrived, when all that effort and passion was set to hang on 90 minutes against a Chelsea side ravenous for any silverware.Despite taking the lead through a Louis Saha strike within 26 seconds, there was to be no fairytale.In the energy-sapping temperatures Everton's hopes wilted. At the end, the anguish was shared evenly on the faces of players and supporters.They had come so close.And once again supporters were deflated by this season's FA Cup exit, albeit in a less acute way.The Blues have built to a head of steam. The players believe they are ready to win something. The fans believe they are ready to win something. Even the commentators have started to tip them.Yet still the wait goes on. It is a frustration which particularly eats at Leon Osman, at 28 a relative veteran of David Moyes' current squad.'We came so close last season in the FA Cup final and it was a good three or four months before I got over the fact that we didn't come away with the trophy,' he says.'It's really a big aim for the whole squad really. We've got a good squad together, we've finished sixth, fifth and fifth in the league.'Everyone knows that the aims is to get back up there and we feel as a group of players that we should be there or thereabouts.'I don't want to finish my career with nothing to show for it. I want to win a medal, not just for myself but for the club. The club deserves to be back winning things in the big time. A club this size deserves that.'Despite the irritation of another barren year in terms of silverware, Osman has enjoyed a fine season.Often deployed in his favoured central position he has responded with some magnificent performances, in particular his offering in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Goodison.'I'm enjoying it. For someone with the attributes I've got, I'm probably best in the middle,' he says. 'I'll give you the best I can possibly give you on the right, but I'm most comfortable in the middle.'I just enjoy being on the pitch to be honest. I'd play left-back or in goal if they asked me.I've played up front in the past, left, right, holding midfield, man marker.

Source: Liverpool_Echo