Murphy: Blades will be in mix next term
OUT of the cup and playing for pride in the league, Sheffield United still staged a glorious late comeback at Port Vale on Friday night that left goalscorer Jamie Murphy in no doubt about their ambition.
The Blades were playing their 22nd game in 12 weeks but managed to find enough reserves of energy to score twice in the final seven minutes at Vale Park.
The home side had led through Louis Dodds’ goal six minutes after the break but Murphy equalised with three minutes to go and Chris Porter fired the winner in the 90th minute.
Having been transformed from relegation candidates to FA Cup giant killers, United look certain to be regarded as one of the promotion favourites next season.
And after denying Vale and Blades-supporting boss Micky Adams a fifth consecutive clean sheet, Murphy is desperate to keep the good times rolling.
“I thought, to come back in the manner we did, showed our spirit,” Murphy.“We don’t like losing no matter what is at stake.We want to win every single time we go out on the field and that’s a good mentality to have. Hopefully it will serve us well in the future.
“It’s important to keep our momentum going. The gaffer has underlined the importance of doing that and it’s something we’ve all bought into too.”
Dodds almost had Vale ahead on four minutes, crashing a shot against the post before Harry Maguire did enough to stop Ben Williamson putting in the rebound.
John Brayford fired over for the Blades as they grew into the game but it was Vale who took the lead just after the break.
Adam Yates’ pass took a deflection and left Dodds with the chance to finish. It was Murphy who eventually drew the Blades level, Brayford breaking down the right to find his teammate who thumped home.
And just as it looked as though the game would end in a draw, Porter smashed in a left-foot shot to win the game.
While United are planning with optimism for the future,Vale are sweating on Adams’ future with the manager wanting money to spend in the summer before deciding whether to stay. He said:“I want to build on what we have done here.
“To build on that you need your better players to sign contracts and you need to bring better players into the club in certain areas we are lacking.
“What you then have to think about is, is there enough money in the budget to do that because if there isn’t, and it is going to be a real struggle.”