Sheffield United midfielder Ben Osborn makes an FA Cup admission

Ben Osborn, the Sheffield United midfielder, says last season’s shock FA Cup defeat by Barnet has made Chris Wilder’s squad doubly determined to avoid more embarrassment during tomorrow’s tie against AFC Fylde.
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The midfielder, who is expected to start the meeting with Jim Bentley’s side, admitted some of his team mates will use that defeat as a motivational tool as they attempt to avoid another shock third round exit.

Osborn, a summer signing from Nottingham Forest, said: “A few of the lads have been speaking about what happened then and we’re adamant it’s not going to be the same again.

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“They, Fylde, have obviously done well to get to this stage. It always happens, a few of them will have the game of their lives.

Ben Osborn is expected to start Sheffield United's FA Cup tie against AFC Fylde: Simon Bellis/SportimageBen Osborn is expected to start Sheffield United's FA Cup tie against AFC Fylde: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Ben Osborn is expected to start Sheffield United's FA Cup tie against AFC Fylde: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

“We’ll be hungry and we’ll be fighting to get into the next round.”

Osborn, aged 25, is still waiting to make his full Premier League debut for United, with both of his starts so far coming in the EFL Cup.

Wilder’s side exited that competition when they were beaten by Sunderland in September and Osborn said: “We’ve got to learn from that. We don’t want the same thing to happen again.”

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A former England under-20 international, Osborn was a member of the Forest side which lost to Chelsea in the cup 12 months ago having dispatched Arsenal a year earlier.

“Both Chelsea and Arsenal were great experiences,” he said. “Chelsea were an exceptional team at the time. I remember marking Cesc Fabregas and he was just unbelievable.”