Gus Poyet is eager for his Sunderland side to get their season up and running when they take on Stoke City in the Capital One Cup this week.
The Black Cats, who are so far without a win in five Premier League outings, host the Potters in the third round of the league cup and Poyet is looking to last season's run to the final as motivation for his players after a poor start in the league.
"It's a good way to express how much we care and we like to win games," he said.
"When you have an opportunity, we would like to take it and not lose chances because, of course, there is going to be a day when the opposition is going to be much better than you and even if we don't like to accept defeat, you need to be realistic.
"But listen, we are trying to forget about the league, if it's possible - I don't think it's 100 per cent possible - and concentrate on the cup knowing it's a one-off game and on Tuesday night, you know where you are, if you are in or out of the next round.
"I like the cups, that's me. I always enjoy cup games because they are like little finals. You are winning little finals to get to the final, and that makes special moments and very unique times and celebrations, goals in the last minute or penalty shoot-outs or whatever it is.
"It brings plenty of things to the group as well for the future."
