Pre Season... Importance

The players return from their lads holiday's, family holiday's and stag do's soon ready for pre season  next Monday. This will give Nigel Adkins the time to reassess his squad and adapt it to spear head a promotion charge next season. In this article i will look at every one of the Blades pre season opponents. 

First up it's Ilkeston away.

Che Adams and Kieran Wallace's former club will stage the Blades first pre season challenge. Ilkeston finished 5th in the EVO stik league last season with a total of 81 points, 11 points of the league champions FC United. Kevin Wilson's side will prove a stern test for the Blades. Che Adams will be relishing  the opportunity of going back to the New Manor Ground.

Next up is Cheltenham Town 

The Blades will face Cheltenham away on Tuesday 21st of July. Previously relegated Cheltenham faced United in the FA cup in 2003 where the Blades smashed them 4-0. Cheltenham fans didn't have a lot to cheer about last season. Their top goalscorer finished with a total of 4 goals and they recently released 8 players notably Mathieu Manset. Manager Gary Johnson will be looking forward to Nigel Adkins new Blades outfit travelling to the Abby Business Ground. 

Exeter away is the Blades third pre season game

Exeter will also provide a stern test for the Blades in their pre season programme. Going well in League 2 they are also on the verge of developing ST James Park. They recently earned 1.75million from Swansea as they bought Matt Grimes. Finishing strongly in League 2 their top goalscorer finished with 15 goals. The Blades may face a difficult asset and maybe pushed to the limit against a in form Exeter. 

Chris Morgan's testimonial will take place at Bramall Lane against Newcastle United, now managed by Steve McClaren. Newcastle survived relegation on the last day beating West Ham with goals from Gutierrez who they have now released by a  phone call. Although a near miss in the premier league, a new look Newcastle side will prove a real hard test for Adkins men. This will probably give Blades fans a picture of where the squad is at so close to the season facing such difficult opponents. 

Next up is Macclesfield Town...

Macclesfield are in National League the EVO Stick Premier League one league below League 2. They will provide a difficult opponent for the Blades as they went quite well in their League last season. Their top goal scorer scored a decent total of 10 goals. They finished 6th just outside the play offs by one point. This team will cause problems for Adkins men but hopefully by the 29th of July we will be seeing the squad complete and ready to go for Gillingham away.

Last but not least it's Hull City at Bramall Lane. 

Now this is where we will probably see Adkins decide on his strongest squad. Hull relegated from the PL will almost certainly put a strong team out managed by Steve Bruce. Ex Blade Harry Maguire will possibly be starting and returning to the Lane, although Stephen Quinn won't as he nears a move to Reading. This will be a good test right before the start of the season and will help Nigel decide where we are at Vs Championship opposition.