It has been a funny old season at Bramall Lane for Sheffield United and more importantly manager Nigel Adkins.

Adkins took over from the outgoing Nigel Clough amid a wave of optimism from Blades fans on social media, with many citing his impressive successive promotions with Southampton and similar success with Scunthorpe, as reasons to believe he was the man to guide the Blades out of the division.

It has not gone quite to plan though for the former Reading boss, as the Blades sit in a lowly 11th position and have fallen behind the play off places by five points, having won only one of the last five games.

They take on local rivals Doncaster Rovers this weekend in what is a must win game for them, with many fans still undecided on Adkins - and more so the board - due to the failure during last months deadline day to sign players.

It threatens to turn sour once more if the Blades lose another fixture, and it could well be final straw for Adkins, either if he chooses to walk, or if the board feel it is time for yet another manager at the Lane.

Here, I take a look at FIVE reasons why Sheffield United should sack Nigel Adkins.......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 REASONS!

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Results are simply not good enough

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While it may seem an obvious thing to point out, football is a results business, and put simply, they have not been good enough at Bramall Lane this season.

The Blades have won only once in the last 7 outings, a 2-1 away win at bottom of the table Colchester, and have lost to rivals Wigan and Peterborough during that run. Prior to that they won 4 on the bounce, but this was preceded again by a run stretching 5 games without a win.

The Blades have struggled for any consistency, and sit middle of the table when it comes to both home and away form. They have in fact lost more games at home than they have away, which in itself can be deemed unacceptable to fans.

Its not rocket science for any football fan to see this with Sheffield United and their results, and another defeat this weekend could well be the final nail in the coffin for Adkins.

The side lack any identity

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Sheffield United historically have had managers who have stamped authority on their team and an identity among the team and its style of play.

Under Neil Warnock they were hard working, tough to break down, and consistently scored last minute winners due to their determination. Under Danny Wilson, they played sharp, crisp attacking football in a squad full of talent way too good to be playing in League One, but ultimately fell at the final hurdle.

Even under previous manager Nigel Clough, they were tough to break down away from home, and played a counter attacking game to supplement the best available players in the squad.

Under Adkins there is nothing of note what stands out. Yes they score a fair few, having only failed to score in 17% of games so far, but there is no marker on the team. There isn't slick passing, there isn't a solid defence grinding out wins, and there is no brilliant movement and attacking play in the final third.

This is frustrating and baffling for Blades fans, who have long seen their team represent at least something. Adkins needs to find this and quick, otherwise it could be game over for him at the Lane.

His tactics and substitutions are very strange to say the least

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When a team is struggling, whether it be down at the bottom, or in a mini crisis such as the Blades - lets not kid ourselves, 5 points off the play offs is not as bad as it could be - managers often cite the need to go back to basics.

Part of this is usually playing players in a position they are most comfortable in. This has not been the case from Adkins.

Fans have been left baffled by his decision to play big striker Conor Sammon out wide at times, perplexed by his idea that Jose Baxter suddenly has the engine and pace to operate in a wide right role, and confused by the need to play 4 centre midfielders across an entire midfield four. If Adkins wants to get things right, he must utilise the players within his squad in the right positions.

His subs have not helped either, often drawing boos and jeers from a frustrated home crowd. Changes are made too late, or are like for like and predictable, and simply do not effect the game in any way shape or form.

Adkins must change both these aspects in order to get results back on track.

There is a disparity between him and board

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The failure to sign any players during January, barring the extension of midfielder Dean Hammonds loan, caused uproar from United fans across social media platforms, with abuse and "advice" hurled at Co-Chairman Jim Phipps.

Now whether or not the abuse to the Chairman is vindicated or not, the fact of the matter is, it is plain to see there has been a break down of communication or trust somewhere along the line.

Adkins reportedly identified 2 or 3 targets, only to see the board capture none of them.

Fans are at a loss as to what is happening. Is the board bringing the players in? Is it the manager? Are funds actually available? Adkins seemed to indicate they were available, only to then this week suggest delving in to the unattached player market! Adkins was also probed by local reporter Rob Staton this week if he believed he was receiving the correct backing from above, to which he replied "it is my job to make sure we are all together from the top to the bottom".

It is comments like that which are posing questions about the direction the club is heading, something Adkins may well pay the price for.

 

His own signings have been poor in the majority

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Adkins has been left with a top heavy squad, which most fans understand and can appreciate a lot of the players are not good enough any more and perhaps need to move on.

However, Adkins has brought in some of his own players, and in the main they have simply not come off.

Striker Billy Sharp arrived, and he has been a success, scoring 14 goals already and endearing himself to fans with his work rate and all round game. But signings like Dean Hammond, Martyn Woolford, David Edgar, and Conor Sammon have simply not worked.

Hammond has looked lumber some and a shadow of the player he was at Southampton and Leicester. Woolford appears to have had time catch up with him and has no pace or direction with the ball any more.

Edgar has impressed on the odd occasion, but still, has not looked anywhere near a Championship level defender which he supposedly is. Then there is striker Sammon, who put simply has been nothing short of dreadful, especially after such a promising start to the season and his partnership with Billy Sharp.

Adkins can talk all he wants about having to move people out and only bring in people to improve the first team squad, but can the board really trust him with money based on the signings already made? Time can only tell.

Blades fans, what do you think? Have you got an opinion on Adkins? Is sacking him right or does he deserve more time? Let us know using the comments below!