BLADES FINISH WEEK SMILING
IT HAS been a difficult week for Sheffield United, but manager Nigel Adkins has called on Blades fans to help push his side into the play-offs after finally giving them some good news.
Before kick-off, co-owner Kevin McCabe released a message via the club website to try and quell fan discontent after an underwhelming league campaign.
That hasn’t been helped by Jose Baxter’s suspension following a second failed drugs test in nine months, and a run of just two wins in eight games.
The crowd started getting restless after just 15 minutes as United started passing the ball across their new-look back three, but those supporters ultimately went home happy after Billy Sharp’s 50th-minute goal put them just one place outside the play-offs.
Adkins said: “We all share the same common cause.We all want Sheffield United to do well. I think that was demonstrated.
“The players have worked extremely hard and that’s the minimum requirement, and we’ve endeavoured to play some football.
“We’ve created chances and likewise the supporters have got right behind the players, which is a two-way thing.
“At times when things aren’t going quite your way, that’s when everybody’s got to come together, and I’ve think that there’s a genuine desire for everyone to come together and do well.
“That’s helped to give us an opportunity to win this game.”
The Blades kept Rob Page’s men under pressure for the entire first half, even if they demanded patience with slow build-up play.
Dean Hammond went clear through on goal as early as the third minute only to shoot straight at Chris Neal.
Twice the Blades put the ball in the net before the break, but both were ruled out by linesman’s flags, so obviously correct that neither was even celebrated.
Anthony Grant did manage to get one half-decent effort away, driving at a shot goal from 20 yards that was deflected just wide.
Vale skipper Carl Dickinson made a stunning block to keep the visitors level, getting back excellently to head Hammond’s looping header off the line.
But Sharp latched on to Ryan McGivern’s attempted clearance after the break and finished superbly to the top corner to score the decisive goal.
Port Vale did show much more attacking intent as they sought an equaliser but were unable to turn their territory into real chances.
Vale manager Page – a former favourite at Bramall Lane as a player – said:“I can’t fault the lads’ effort the last 20 minutes, we had a real go at them, but I’m really disappointed.
“I thought we fell below the standards we’ve set, we’ve played much much better, and I’m just disappointed for the players that they haven’t come out and shown what they can do.
“Some of our passing was awful at times and we didn’t make it too hard for them, put it that way. You’re never happy with a defeat but it’s the level of performance we set, against a team there for the taking in my opinion.”