Under a new leadership of Nigel Adkins the Blades are hoping that this new era as they enter their fifth success five season in League One that it will be met at home to Scunthorpe United on the final day of the season (8 May) celebrating promotion. The former Southampton and Reading boss has been busy during the summer to assemble such a squad and whilst supporters are impressed by the squad that won't automatically bring success.
Before his arrival Sam Berry (to Alfreton Town), Michael Doyle (Portsmouth), Ben Davies, Jason Paling, Iain Turner and Kyle Scarisbrick (all free agents) were released by the club. To date Adkins has made just two permanent transfers; Martyn Woolford from Millwall and Billy Sharp from Leeds United - Conor Sammon (Derby County) has also been signed on a seasons long loan.
During the summer the Blades played out just six friendlies, starting off with victories at non-league Ilkeston (1-0) and Cheltenham Town (3-1) before beating League Two side Exeter City (2-1) in what proved to be three wins in just five days. Newcastle United were invited to Bramall Lane as part of Chris Morgan's Testimonial match and proved to be very entertaining - Keiran Freeman scored a scorcher as they drew 2-2.
Nine days ago the Cutlers romped to victory as they overcame Macclesfield Town by four goals to nil; Che Adams netted a brace whilst Sharp scored his first goal for his new club and last Sunday drew respectively one-all at home to Hull City.
United should start the season with a relativly fresh team but will be without Matt Done (collarbone) and Jamal Campbell-Ryce (hamstring) - the pair sustained injury during the pre-season friendlies. Still side-lined from the latter stages of last season are; John Brayford (knee), Terry Kennedy (knee) and Ryan Flynn (ankle).
Gillingham vs. Sheffield United - League One - Saturday, 8 August 2015, Kick-Off: 3.00PM
The Gills will be looking to improve this season after finishing 12th last time around in League. Though (in the end) they were just seven points away from the play-offs. There pre-season preparations have been quite heavy under new(ish) boss Justin Edinburgh who was appointed last February.
There first five fixtures came away from the Priestfield Stadium against non-league opposition. They were victorious at; Folkestone Invicta (3-0), Tonbridge Angels (2-1), Bromley (2-1) and drew at Dover Athletic (1-1) and Chatham Town (1-1). They were defeated on 29 July by Brighton & Hove Albion (1-2) and drew 0-0 with Portsmouth in their only two home friendlies and ended their summer routine with a dismal 1-0 defeat at Faversham Town.
Gillingham have been busy in the transfer market too - signing six players all on free transfers; Elliott List (from Crystal Palace), Max Ehmer (QPR), Ben Williamson (Port Vale), Ryan Jackson (Newport County), Rory Donnelly (Swansea City) and Bradley Garmston (WBA) and are joined by Jordan Houghton (Chelsea) and Adedeji Oshilja (Cardiff City) who have both joined on loan until January. Meanwhile five players have exited the Kent club this summer; Danny Galbraith (free agent), Gavin Hoyte (to Barnet), Leon Legge (Cambridge United), Joe Martin and Mahlon Romeo (both Millwall).
Blades-Mad Prediction: Gillingham 0 Sheffield United 1