Blades’ squad can cope with FA Cup run, insists Flynn

Although others, notably Huddersfield Town, have waved a swift goodbye to the competition and can now concentrate on the league, the Blades beat Oxford United to set up a surmountable second-round tie with Torquay United.

Flynn, who scored his first goal for the club in the 3-0 win, firmly rejects the idea that the FA Cup could become a distraction.

“Winning games is a good habit to get into and that’s what we aim to do,” he said. “We have a really good squad that is big in quality so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”

Flynn was one of a host of players moved on by Falkirk last summer after the Scottish First Division club failed to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Team-mates Mark Stewart, Chris Mitchell and Jack Compton all moved to Bradford City, Mark Twaddle is now at Rochdale, and goalkeeper Robert Olejnick headed to Torquay United

Flynn, 23, is now adjusting to League One football and his performance as substitute against Oxford will have boosted his chances of a start this weekend against Carlisle United.

He could even be asked to fill one of the gaps vacated by Billy Clarke and Matt Phillips who returned to Blackpool at the end of one-month loan deals.

“I was hoping to start last weekend but I had to come off the bench and do whatever the manager asked me to do,” he said. “The more I play, the better I feel I will get. It was nice to get my first goal but, mainly, it was good to get the win.”

The Blades had lost at Stevenage and been beaten by Bradford in the Northern area quarter-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy prior to last weekend’s FA Cup tie but are still fifth in the League One table.

“We had a couple of indifferent results lately so it was good to get back to winning ways and keep a clean sheet,” he said.

“At the start of the season, we went on a really good run, winning difficult games and grinding out results. But although we had played quite well lately, we had dropped silly points when in control of games. It was time to go back to basics and not give teams chances when we are in control of games.”

The Blades and city neighbours Wednesday have both announced that they will play their FA Cup second-round home games in Sheffield on Saturday, December 3.

Police advice usually restricts only one city team play at home, to avoid any confrontations between rival fans.

The Owls will host the winners of Maidenhead and Aldershot, with both Sheffield clubs offering tickets priced £5 and £10.