Leon Osman says history beckons for best side of David Moyes' Everton reign

Everton cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup

Osman: 'The more the years go by, the more we want to win' (Getty Images)

Everton came up against Alan Bennett at Cheltenham on Monday night but it is David Moyes's men who are dreaming of becoming history boys, according to midfielder Leon Osman.

The Merseyside club have flirted with success during Moyes's reign – reaching the 2009 FA Cup final and two other domestic cup semi-finals, and losing a Champions League qualifier in 2005 – but Osman believes they are closer than ever to achieving something.

"I'd say it's probably the best team we've had since I've been here," said Osman, 31, after the 5-1 dismantling of Cheltenham. "We've had some good teams and finished high up the league and reached cup finals but for the football we're playing I'd say this is the best team.

"We have got a bit of variety. We pass but we're happy to mix it up and go direct as well which is difficult to defend."

The fact Moyes fielded such a strong side at Cheltenham showed his determination to win a trophy and Osman is equally eager to deliver a tangible reward for his manager, whose future remains uncertain with his contract expiring this summer.

"The more the years go by, the more we want to win," said Osman. "He's been a fantastic servant to the club. If he was to leave I would be very disappointed but you don't always get what you deserve. You don't just win a cup because you've done well over the years and deserved it. It's up to us as players to turn that into something real."

They may not get a better chance. Monday's third-round win was the fourth in five matches for fifth-placed Everton. "We drew a lot at the start of the season but we're finding a way to get the wins now which should put us in good stead," added Osman.