Everton Women full-back Poppy Pattinson outlined the team’s desire to win silverware this season after coming tantalisingly close to achieving trophy glory in 2020.

The Blues reached the FA Cup final late last year to only be narrowly defeated by Manchester City at the final hurdle.

That was an experience the defender says has motivated herself and the group to achieve success this season – and the team could take a step towards that goal on Wednesday night.

A victory over Manchester United at Walton Hall Park would see Everton progress into the quarter-finals of the Continental Cup.

“It’s a huge game,” Pattinson told evertonfc.com. “We got an opportunity to go to Wembley in a cup final last year and to get a taste of that increased our desire to win silverware.

“The Continental Cup is an opportunity for us to go out and achieve that target.

“When you play a team like Manchester United, everybody knows that it’s a massive game. We need to head into the game with confidence.

“We need to show passion and pride, which our fans expect us to, and make sure we put in a good performance.

“Hopefully we can get the win and progress in the competition.”

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The England Under-20s star made her second start of the season when Durham travelled to Walton Hall Park in the third match of the Conti Cup group stage.

The defender impressed against her hometown side and again when playing the final 30 minutes against West Ham United on Sunday.

“It’s felt good to get a run out in the team in the past couple of weeks,” Pattinson added.

“Playing against Durham in particular, it’s my hometown so I wanted to impress and do well.

“Durham always bring passion, it’s what us North-East girls do! They are a tough team and always put up a fight, but we got the result and a clean sheet as well.

“When a new manager comes in, you want to impress.

“Hopefully I’ve done that over the past few weeks and can continue to build on my performances.”

The Everton defender credited boss Jean-Luc Vasseur’s attention to detail and explained how the squad are improving as he implements his style.

“Defensively we know our roles and the boss has come in and set new instructions out,” Pattinson added.

“For me as a full-back, there are clear points of what he wants and now it’s about trying to put that into practice in a game.

“Hopefully that has showed in the gametime that I have had in the past couple of weeks.

“I think all the girls are buying into the changes that have been made and hopefully we can continue to improve.”

Since joining Everton in summer 2020, Pattinson has been battling for a spot in her preferred left-back position with club captain Dan Turner.

The pair, however, played alongside each other in the final stages of the Blues’ win against Durham – and Pattinson explained how Turner has consistently supported her during her time with Everton.

“Me and Dan [Turner] had a joke after the Durham game that we like playing alongside one another!

“It’s good to have that competition in the team, you want to be pushed every day in training to get the best out of yourself.

“However, playing together was good. It shows that having us both on the pitch can be an option.

“I don’t mind playing higher up the field along the left, so hopefully it’s something for the manager to think about.

“We have that competition for that starting place, but she is a mentor for me both on and off the field.

“She has a lot of experience and a few more years in the professional game compared to me.

“I feel like we both want to push each other so we can improve. We have a good relationship, we’re good friends but we make sure to keep challenging ourselves for the better of the team.”

Pattinson insists she will be ready to rise to the challenge if called upon for Wednesday’s vital cup clash.

“As a player you always want to play games, but I’ll be ready for whatever the manager asks,” she added.

“For me, I’m going to work hard leading up to the game and give myself the best possible chance of getting minutes.

“Whether I start, come off the bench or support the team on the bench, I’m going to give 100 per cent.”

Pattinson is hoping for another big crowd at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday night to drive the team on in their final home outing of the year.

“The crowd can definitely help us in a game like this,” she expressed.

“To have fans back at Walton Hall Park has been so nice.

“They are the 12^th player for us and they can spur us on to get a positive result against United.”

Season Ticket Members and Official Members can attend Everton Women's final home game of 2021 FOR FREE!

All other fans can secure their places at Walton Hall Park for £8 for adults and £4 for concessions here.