Lewis sharpens United defence
Boss takes Blades pair from old friend Wilder FOOTBALL
Lewis played for more than a decade at Oxford, as well as having two spells as caretaker manager there, and worked alongside Chris Wilder when he was in charge at the Kassam Stadium.
Wilder is now in charge at Sheffield United and Lewis has plundered the Blades for centreback Manny Adebowale and right-back Jake Phillips.
Adebowale started out in West Ham’s youth system before signing on as a scholar with the Blades, while Phillips, having been released by Tranmere Rovers, was snapped up by the Bramall Lane side a year ago following a TJG1ST spell in Wales with Llandudno. Both made their Hayes debuts in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Cinderford Town, while fellow new signing Brian Evans, another full-back who has played in the Spanish third tier, was on the bench and will have to wait for his chance. Lewis said: “Manny is a big strong lad who came highly recommended to us, as did Jake, who loves to get on the ball and get forward, although I asked him to take a bit more of a conservative approach on Saturday. “Hopefully we will see more of him going forward, but we’re not sure if Jake will be a long-term signing yet. He lives in Liverpool and travelled all the way down from there to play on Saturday as he wanted to play football, and that shows his desire. “Brian I’ve not seen a lot of yet, but from what I have seen, he looks like he’s got a bit of quality about him. He’s come in with the right attitude and is prepared to sit on the bench and see what happe happens.” Out of the exit door, meanw meanwhile, goes Jimmy Sheph Shephard, who has returned to Dagenham & Redbr Redbridge following the end o of his loan spell. Ha Hayes, who were due to p play at Kettering Town last night (Tues (Tuesday), made it two Southern Premier wins in a row with the victo victory at Cinderford. They host Dorchester, who were one place belo below in 19th at the time of going to pres press, at Beaconsfield SYC SYCOB on Saturday. L Lewis added: “What peo people have to realise is we’r we’re still quite a young squ squad, and putting a squ squad together isn’t an ov e“overnight thing. “We’re trying to bri bring young players thr through and get a he heart into this club, bu but they need some ex experienced heads aro around too. Rome wa wasn’t built in a day, an and while we have a br bright future, there w will be some tough da days before it.” CONNECTIONS: SILVERWARE: