McManaman eyes Wembley chance

The Huyton-born 21-year-old, cast out at Goodison Park aged just 15, scored in the 3-0 victory which put the Latics into their first semi-final.

He admits he still has a special affection for the Toffees but has moved on since being told he was not good enough to make it at his boyhood club.

"I was there for nine years and was released when I was 15 and it broke my heart to be honest, but I still look out for Everton's results," he said.

"I was there from the age of seven and that was my life at the time so I was gutted when it happened, but you just have to get on with it.

"It was make or break when I left. I either packed it in or went and found another club and Wigan came knocking and I haven't looked back."

Maynor Figueroa, McManaman and Jordi Gomez scored in 202 first-half seconds to secure Saturday's win.

McManaman has yet to make an impact at Premier League level for Wigan but has scored in his last two FA Cup appearances and is hopeful of repeating the feat at Wembley in the semi-final.

"You dream of it as a kid and I can't wait for it now," he added.

"Most games I've scored so I've enjoyed the FA Cup. It is a special competition and everyone is up for it.

"We just have to keep going because if we get to the final anything can happen.

"I'd be disappointed if I'm not playing at Wembley."

Latics manager Roberto Martinez believes the progress of McManaman is essential to Wigan's development as a club.

"He is a real example of what we have got to do at Wigan," he said.

"Developing youngsters is a must and it has to be paramount for any club to be able to produce youngsters.

"Callum had his different periods, he went out on loan and has adapted, but for us it is a real example to everyone in the development squad that if they work hard enough and are prepared to listen they will get an opportunity.

"We are playing in the best league in the world and as a club it takes time to develop players."

Martinez has left his players under no illusions they cannot afford to be distracted by an FA Cup semi-final appearance as there is a higher priority at stake.

They dropped into the bottom three yesterday, albeit with a match in hand, and he said: "This is the best team we have had in terms of football concepts but football is about winning games.

"We have to do that in the next 10 games because we have to achieve our aim - which would be an incredible achievement to have nine consecutive seasons at this level.

"I don't want the players to think (they are good enough to stay in the league), I want them to worry about their places and realise there is a lot of competition.

"We never had a lack of personality and character and we need to use this success in the next 10 games."

The cup exit left many Everton fans calling for wholesale changes at the club.

David Moyes, whose contract expires in the summer, is stalling on a decision to renew, and defeat to Wigan did little to ease the feeling of uncertainty at Goodison Park.

"We have to pick ourselves up. We have had a pretty good season, we've not had many downsides but this is a massive one, for me, the team and the supporters," said the Scot.

"We will pick ourselves up and bounce back. We had disappointment last year (losing to Liverpool in the semi-final) and we will try and do a similar job and finish the season well."