Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is eyeing a run in the FA Cup to help his side rediscover their form in the Premier League.
The Black Cats reached the final of the Capital One Cup last season, and also the last eight of the FA Cup, and they used their success in the competitions to launch a platform to achieve an unlikely escape from relegation.
"I really believe that the cup competitions can be a springboard because everything comes together," Poyet told the club's official website.
"If you have confidence because you're doing well in the cup but you're not in the league, or the opposite way around, it can affect the other.
"It helps you build performances and consistency so with the cup being in the middle of the month we need to use it that way."
Sunderland face Leeds United in their third-round clash at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon.
