The Blades began pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win at Ilkeston last Saturday - youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting with five minutes remaining. They now face Cheltenham Town at Waddon Road tonight before travelling to St James Park where they will face Exeter City on Thursday.
There were a number of noticeable absentees from the squad which won in Derbyshire four days ago. Blades boss Nigel Adkins opted to field two squads, one in each half but the absence of new signing Martyn Woolford, Matty Done, Ryan Flynn, Craig Alcock and John Brayford (through injury) were obvious. It isn't yet known if any of these players will feature in either of these friendly fixtures but we hope that they will be fit and ready for the seasons start at Gillingham on 8 August.
Versus.... Cheltenham Town - Tuesday, 21 July 2015
The Robins will be looking to pick themselves up and bust themselves down because whilst the likes of Burton Albion and Shrewsbury Town where celebrating promotion from League Town fell short and what was a fairy-tale story for Hartlepool United in their request to survive relegation Cheltenham became victims of their success, and along with Tranmere Rovers will complete in the newly re-formed 'The Vanarama National League' and kick start their season at Lincoln City on 8 August.
Under Gary Johnson they have been quick to assemble a new squad which (they hope) can challenge for promotion back into the Football League. They have allowed five players to leave on free transfers but have introduced eight new players to the squad list; Daniel Wright (from Kidderminster Harriers), Aaron Downes (Torquay united), Amari Morgan-Smith (Oldham Athletic), Billy Waters (Crewe Alexandra), Jack Munns (Charlton Athletic), Kyle Storer (Wrexham), George MClennon (Hayes & Yeading) and lastly Jack Barthram (Swindon Town).
There pre-season friendlies got underway and to date have enjoyed a 100% success rate against lower opposition. On 11th July they won 3-0 at Cirencester Town and a whopping 7-3 at Evesham United before winning by three goals to nil at Weston-super-Mare. There biggest tests come from tonight onwards. After facing the Blades they have home fixtures against Bristol Rovers and Cardiff City before travelling to AFC Wimbledon.
Versus... Exeter City - Thursday, 23 July 2015
Grecians boss Paul tisdale has been very quiet in the transfter market. Having released Pat Baldwin and Clinton Morrrison in the summer they also allowed Graahm Cummins to join St Johnson for a fee. There only recruitment is Troy Brown (from Cheltenham Town). They will be looking to improve on their 10th place League Two position they earned last season.
Like Cheltenham they have travelled (and beaten) Weston-super-Mare (2-1) as part of their pre-season friendlies. They started the campaign off north of the border with a 1-1 draw at East Fife before being defeated by a single goal at Arbroath. Last Saturday they were beaten 2-1 at home to newly promoted Premiership outfit AFC Bournemouth. By the time United visit St James Park they will have already faced Brazilian side Fluminese (Monday) who are sending a U-19 side.
The Blades will be their last home friendly of the summer before they host Yeovil Town on the opening day of the season. They will face further friendlies away from home at Bodmin Town, Torquay United and AFC St Austell.
The Day we Shared Eight Goals... (29 October 2011)
Sheffield United and Exeter shared eight goals in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Bramall Lane. Exeter took a 2-0 lead through goals from Daniel Nardiello and David Noble before the Blades stormed back to go 3-2 ahead courtesy of Matt Phillips, Billy Clarke and Matt Lowton. John O'Flynn levelled brought the teams level again before Phillips grabbed his second goal of the game to restore the host`;s lead. However, James Dunne grabbed an 87th minute equaliser.
Nardiello capitalised on a mix-up between United goalkeeper George Long and defender Marcus Williams to give Exeter a 10th minute lead. And they went 2-0 up after 23 minutes when Noble beat Long with a deflected 25-yard shot. United pulled a goal back just before the break when Phillips' shot was deflected past Artur Krysiak. Danny Wilson`s side equalised when Williams squared to Clarke inside the area and the striker scored with a first-time shot.
Lowton scored from close range midway through the second half following a corner to put the home side in front before O'Flynn levelled with a looping header in the 82nd minute. Phillips put the Blades back in front three minutes later and Exeter equalised again when Dunne squeezed the ball in from a tight angle.