Sheffield United v Plymouth Argyle- No lack of motivation for Blades or Jayden Bogle

Sheffield United wing-back Jayden Bogle and his team-mates are understandably anxious that they do not add to that particular ‘hall of fame’ this afternoon.

The ‘magic of the Cup’ and its status as the world’s most enduring domestic Cup competition is lost upon those who have been on the receiving end of a bitter exit.

Just ask Fulham’s players after they were embarrassingly knocked out by League Two side Oldham Athletic back in January, 2019.

Then, there was the example of Derby County, who were beaten 4-1 by Championship mid-tables Preston at Pride Park 13 years ago – another painful wound in a hellish campaign that broke several records for the wrong reasons.

Years before that, there was Birmingham City, who lost out 2-1 at home to Altrincham in January, 1985 as the Cheshire cup-fighters became only the second non-league team to beat top-flight opposition away from home, with the Blues’ hierarchy promptly sacking Ron Saunders.

It provides food for thought ahead of the Blades’ date with Argyle, who are 38 places below them in the pyramid and are seeking a place in the fifth round for the first time since 2006-07.

They have nothing to lose, just as United – then struggling in the third tier – hadn’t when they won 2-1 at lowly Premier League side Aston Villa in January, 2014.

The warnings are there for Chris Wilder’s side, but for Bogle, it is all a question of attitude.

Show the same desire and approach as they did in the previous round on a hazardous trip to the West County to face Bristol Rovers and the Blades, all things being equal, have a fair chance.

Bogle, who scored his second goal for the club in the 3-2 win at the Memorial Stadium a fortnight ago – the club’s maiden victory of a fraught campaign – said: “You cannot underestimate anyone in football. There have been some unexpected results recently that people have not expected.

“That extra bit of motivation of not being that team who gets beaten by a lower-division league team also helps.

“There is nothing to lose (for Plymouth) and they will be giving their all to make history for their club.

“It is about that freedom you are given to go and play and compete against a top side. Individually, you might be playing for yourself to get noticed by a top club and ultimately for the team to be recognised as one who have gone up against a higher club and competed.“

He may only be at a relatively early stage of his professional career, but Bogle knows how it feels to be the underdog against a comparative giant.

The Reading-born player, 20, was part of a Derby side who welcomed Manchester United in a round-five tie just before the first lockdown last March, with the visitors running out comprehensive 3-0 victors.

Earlier, Derby had shown their wherewithal in the third round by winning at top-flight side Crystal Palace. The Cup does funny things, after all.

Bogle added: “I have been in a similar situation to what they (Plymouth) are coming into now when you are a lower-league team playing against top opposition.

“I can relate from where they are coming from, but it also gives me the experience from my point of view as a Sheffield United player in terms of how we need to approach the game and make sure we are switched on and ready because it is going to be a tough game.

“It is important that you go into the game with the right attitude and mentality and that will ultimately get you the result you want. We want to attack the game.

“It is about showing the problems we can cause to top teams and bottom teams and showing that consistency for the rest of the season. We need to be ‘at it.’”

Psychologically, avoiding a shock today would represent a brief touch of respite in a season when the Blades have been metaphorically kicked from almost every direction – from opposing sides, rival supporters and pundits to name but three.

For a close-knit club who have done it tough in 2020-21, the value of another win should not under-estimated.

Bogle continued: “From the minute I came here, I saw how people stick together and it is a very tight club and out on the training pitch and on a game day, everyone does. That has been put into the club by the manager and where he comes from”.

A proud club and a proud manager. One of United’s own.

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