ECHO exclusive as James Garner opens up on his side's desire to win a trophy this season following Everton's League Cup win over Wolves on Wednesday night
James Garner
James Garner(Image: (Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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James Garner echoed his manager's thoughts by revealing his Everton team-mates have held dressing room talks about going all the way in the Carabao Cup. Writing in his programme notes ahead of his side’s 1-0 third-round victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night, David Moyes made clear that he hoped his side would enjoy a good cup run this season.
And although they made hard work against a much-changed Wolves side, forgotten man Charly Alcaraz stepped up when the Blues needed inspiration, scoring the only goal of the game 10 minutes from time.
Everton’s record in the League Cup has been poor in recent years and the last time the club won a major trophy was back in 1995. But Garner and his team-mates are determined to end the Blues’ long wait for a trophy.
“You want to go as far in the cup as possible, and we spoke among ourselves about wanting to make a good run this year and potentially win it,” he said.
“Of course it has been a long time (since Everton last won a trophy), and it has been a long time. You go out and you start every season hoping for the best.
“You want to finish as high as possible and have good cup runs. That is what we set out to do, and I can’t see why we can’t have a good cup run this year.”
Newcastle United now lie in wait in round number four for Everton and while supporters are understandably delighted that the match will take place at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Garner believes home advantage is irrelevant.
“For me personally, I don’t mind if it is home or away,” he said on the draw. “It is 11 vs 11 on the pitch, but they are a very good side, and we are both Premier League sides, and it will be a good game.”
James Garner during Everton's win over Wolves
James Garner during Everton's win over Wolves(Image: (Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images))
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Garner missed out on a place in England's World Cup squad, having made his senior debut during the March international break.
And although the midfielder hasn’t held any talks with Thomas Tuchel over whether he will be included in the latest squad, which is announced on Friday, he believes once he returns to the levels he was playing at last season call-ups will come.
“No, I haven't,” he replied when asked by the ECHO if he has held talks with England boss Tuchel. “Like I said, I have only just come back from injury, and I have had a couple of games; if it happens, it happens; if it doesn't, then I am not too fussed.”
Pushed on if he was working towards a call-up this season, Garner revealed: “Yeah, 1,000 percent, I have said that it is every boy's dream. My main focus is getting back 100 percent fit and getting back to the levels that I was last season.
“I think if I get to those levels, then hopefully the England call-ups will come. It was a dream come true last year (to get called up), so I am just hoping for many more.”