Sheff Utd fans delighted with attacking Adkins and expect promotion
Sheffield United fans expect promotion and are delighted with new manager Nigel Adkins after a spell of “negative” tactics under Nigel Clough.
Our Opposing views feature looks at the views of Port Vale’s next opponents. The questions were asked by REP
About the fans
HECANDOMAGIC – A born and bred Blade, my first memories are from the Dave Bassett era.
1DANEWHITEHOUSE – I’ve been supporting the blades for around 25 years.
METALBLADE – I started following the Blades around 1962/63 and got my first season ticket in 71.
How do you expect your team to do this season?
Our aim and expectation is simple – to be promoted…
HECANDOMAGIC – Our aim and expectation is simple – to be promoted. After near misses and wasted opportunities, most fans see this season as the season – especially with Adkins in charge, who has a great track record in this league. Any finishing position outside the top two would be classed as total failure and a disaster.
1DANEWHITEHOUSE – I think we should be in the mix for promotion. We might need a bit more quality in central midfield and defence to secure a top two spot but I would certainly expect top four.
METALBLADE – I really do expect promotion this season, we’re nowhere near the finished article yet but I expect us to improve when we get our injured players back and hopefully make a few signings for key areas.
Who should we watch out for?
Connor Sammon is a real handful on his day but can usually be relied upon to miss a sitter…
HECANDOMAGIC – Billy Sharp is the obvious name – at this level he virtually guarantees goals. However we also have a young lad named Che Adams, who 18 months ago was plying his trade at non league Ilkeston. His signing was one of the better things Nigel Clough did whilst with us.
1DANEWHITEHOUSE – Billy Sharp is the obvious choice. He’s joint top scorer in the league and has scored in six consecutive league games I think. Connor Sammon is a real handful on his day but can usually be relied upon to miss a sitter.
METALBLADE – Obviously Billy Sharp is one to watch maybe not quite as fast as he was but got bags of know-how and capable of playing higher than league one as are quite a few of our players if we could just manage to keep them fit and add a bit of consistency to their game.
What are your thoughts on your manager?
HECANDOMAGIC – We now have a manager who seems to embrace being in charge of a promotion favourite – he sets us up to win games and attack, something we were crying out for last season. Some of his signings raised eyebrows (Conor Sammon) but so far they’ve all contributed.
1DANEWHITEHOUSE – I’m delighted with the appointment of Adkins. It’s nice to be playing attacking football even though we leak too many goals.
METALBLADE – I’m a big Adkins fan and after getting shut of “Negative Nigel” I don’t think we could have made a better appointment.
What are your thoughts on your board?
HECANDOMAGIC – As a club who have had their fair share of boardroom unrest and shenanigans (putting it lightly) however we now seem to have stability.
1DANEWHITEHOUSE – Mixed. An excellent managerial appointment and some decent recruitment but for the fourth or fifth year in a row, we’ve sold our best player (Jamie Murphy) and talked about deadline day signings before failing to make it happen.
METALBLADE – I have many thoughts on our board but unfortunately few of them are good.
How do you expect Vale to do this season?
I don’t think you’re good enough to go up, but you’re far too strong to go down…
HECANDOMAGIC – To put it simply – I don’t think you’re good enough to go up, but you’re far too strong to go down.
1DANEWHITEHOUSE – Lower mid-table I reckon. I think you have enough to avoid a relegation fight but losing players like Pope and Marshall and with Brown being another year older, could be a bit of a slog.
METALBLADE – I expect Vale to be mid-table this season Rob Page could turn out to be a decent manager for you.
A score prediction?
HECANDOMAGIC – Port Vale 1 v 2 Sheffield United. Sharp with a brace for us and Ikpeazu for you.
1DANEWHITEHOUSE – I’m going to be optimisitic and say 1-2 blades win. Ikpeazu for Vale but Sharp and Adams for the Blades.
METALBLADE – I’ve got to go for a Blades win but I think Vale will score, so 2 or 3-1 to us (Sharp and Adams).