Having lost at Southend United in the final fixture of March, mid table stability looked like being United's finishing position in what could be polity described as rather a terrible season to be had under Nigel; Adkins first (and only) season as manager of Sheffield United.
But as if by magic the team took a whole new transformation. Adkins had recently changed tactics, moving from a traditional 4-4-2 formation and switching to 3-5-2 and using the Wing-Back system which arguably contributed to the Blades change in attitude.
United convincingly beat a good Walsall side but despite creating a number of chances were unable to break down a very defensive Gillingham side whom had thrashed us on the opening day of the season. United's more convincing fixture came in the local Derby at Chesterfield, the overall result could have (and should have) been more but United came away with a 3-0 win. Che Adams completed a hat-trick spread over two games against the Spirites.
Picture: Chris Basham was on target against Walsall.
Sheffield United 2-0 Walsall
Saturday, 2nd April 2016 - League One
Sheffield United put a huge dent in Walsall's automatic-promotion hopes as first-half goals from Chris Basham and Billy Sharp gave them a 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane. Matt Done had the first chance of the game in the 25th minute but his close-range strike was parried away by Walsall goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. United took the lead through a Basham header after 31 minutes. Ryan Flynn played a neat reverse pass down the left to Done, who, without hesitation, delivered an inch-perfect cross for the incoming Basham to finish off.
United added to their lead five minutes later as good work on the right side by Basham was finished off exquisitely on the volley by Sharp. Basham went close again in the second half, connecting sweetly to a volley from the edge of the area after Walsall failed to clear their lines properly. In the 56th minute, the visitors had their first sniff at goal but United keeper George Long was quickly off his line to smother Tom Bradshaw's stabbed effort.
Sheffield United 0-0 Gillingham
Saturday, 9th April 2016 - League One
Sheffield United and Gillingham played out a goalless draw in League One despite a number of good chances at either end. United's Che Adams went close to scoring in the opening minute when his thunderous shot from an acute angle rattled the woodwork. The visitors enjoyed a good spell with Rory Donnelly's overhead kick only just clearing the bar after keeper George Long dropped a long throw. Long then saved Jake Hessenthaler's 20-yard effort.
Adams' shot from the edge of the area was kept out by Stuart Nelson, who also saved from Ryan Flynn, Paul Coutts and Billy Sharp before the break. Gillingham's Deji Oshilaja wasted a great chance, heading over from close range.
Shortly before the interval, the visitors survived a strong penalty appeal when Flynn went tumbling inside the area following Nelson's challenge. Early in the second half, Nelson saved from Coutts while Matt Done put a far post header off target. Luke Norris had a shot cleared off the line by Jay McEveley, with the Gillingham players claiming in vain that the United skipper handled the ball.
Chesterfield 0-3 Sheffield United
Saturday, 16th April 2016 - League One
Chesterfield remain in relegation trouble after they were outplayed by Sheffield United who cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Proact Stadium. Alex Baptiste gave United an early lead before a Tommy Lee error allowed Che Adams to make it two and the striker laid on the third for Billly Sharp in the second half. United started strongly and went ahead in the fourth minute when David Edgar headed a corner back across goal for Baptiste who turned the ball over the line.
A mistake by Lee gifted United a second in the 35th minute when his sliced clearance fell to Adams who scored from 35 yards with the goalkeeper stranded. United should have scored a third in first-half stoppage time when Ryan Flynn volleyed over from 10 yards but Chesterfield conceded again on the hour when Adams picked up a loose ball and crossed for Sharp to finish from 12 yards. Jay O'Shea had a shot well saved by George Long but Chesterfield rarely threatened and Lee did well to keep out a deflected Flynn shot in the 71st minute.