3/1 To Win
Jayden Bogle is looking forward to testing himself against Premier League opposition as Derby County return to Pride Park Stadium to face Southampton.
It will be the first of a pre-season home double-header, with the Rams set to meet Wolverhampton Wanderers the following Saturday.
For 17-year-old Bogle it is a “massive” opportunity to push himself against a top-flight side and will be another big step in his development that has already increased dramatically over the past six months.
In an interview with RamsTV he said: “It will be a massive game against Southampton, but it is what you want as a kid: to play against the biggest team and some of the best players to test what you can really do.”
The young Rams defender has become well-acquainted with senior football since the end of last season when he initially stepped up to train and travel with the first-team.
He checked in on the first day that Frank Lampard’s new squad returned, travelled to Tenerife on the training camp and now has 90 minutes of senior football under his belt spread over two pre-season friendlies.
Having played for both the Under-18s and Under-23s last season, Bogle was forced to quickly learn this differences of first-team football.
“The difference is the intensity. You have to be at it every session and have got to work so much harder but I think I’ve dealt with it well,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed being back with the first-team, getting some minutes in and training every day with them. I’m just looking to keep working hard every day and seeing what the season holds.”
Holding his own against full-grown men and withstanding the increased intensity are not the only thing Bogle, who celebrates his 18th birthday next week, has had to deal with in the step up.
As he started in the opening game of the pre-season, the young right-back felt the added pressure of thousands of eyes watching. More than 4,000 Rams fans made the trip and were delighted with the performances put in by Bogle and the other youngsters.
However, with big crowds bought nerves and excessive noise levels that he has had to overcome.
“It’s probably the most I’ve played in front of. You have got to literally shout at your teammates to help them hear because of how loud it is,” he explained.
“I felt some nerves before the start but as soon as I stepped out on the pitch I was fine, I was just trying to focus on playing how I usually play and I think I did that.
“I’ve just learned to deal with the nerves in games and in training and just try and do what I do best."
It seems that “playing how he usually plays” is paying off for Bogle as well as the other youngsters in the squad.
Bogle provided the assist to set up a superb strike by 19-year-old Luke Thomas to open the scoring in the 4-1 victory over the Magpies. Thomas added another before 22-year-old Mason Bennett extended the lead. Fellow Derby academy graduate, Tom Huddlestone, sealed the win.
Lampard has shown his intent of developing the club’s youth by including so many academy players throughout the pre-season, adding Timi Elsnik and Charles Vernam to that list.
Bogle is grateful and excited for the challenge.
“With the new manager the opportunity has been given to quite a few young players. I think it’s important for the club to bring through young players and they have done that well,” he said.
“Never, ever did I think I’d be playing for Frank Lampard. He is a great guy, great coach. He has had a few words with me and hopefully as the season goes on we will keep speaking.
“I’m looking forward to playing under him and for this club.”
