As a player Nigel Adkins kept in goal for the Latics between 1986 and 1993, playing over 150 times for the Lancashire side. At the age of 23 he suffered a double spinal fracture and thus putting an end to what otherwise could have been a glittering career.
Since (and including) the Blades drew 1-1 at near neighbours Barnsley on 28 November, United have gone four games unbeaten and impressing have won their last three fixtures with a single goal without reply. They were victorious against Oldham Athletic in the Emirates FA Cup before scrambling back-to-back wins against Coventry City on Sky and at Scunthorpe United last Saturday - in the latter two fixtures, Billy Sharp was on target to put his tally to nine league goals for the season so far...
Billy Sharp returned to haunt Scunthorpe with the only goal of the game that clinched Sheffield United their first away win since the end of August. It came in the 50th minute as this derby burst into life after a goalless opening half. Sharp, who netted 53 times in two seasons while at Scunthorpe, found room in a crowded box to steer a right-foot shot into the bottom far corner following a right-wing corner routine.
It came just after a close-range effort from another Scunthorpe old boy, Martyn Woolford, had been brilliantly turned away by goalkeeper Luke Daniels. The Blades had threatened to make the breakthrough in the first half but Dean Hammond missed one early chance while a cracking drive from Paul Coutts was well saved by Daniels. Scunthorpe looked short of attacking quality throughout much of the opening period but they did find a good response after going behind.
Midfielder Tommy Rowe missed one great chance for an equaliser when he lifted his close-range shot just over at full stretch. Striker Luke Williams then brought the best out of keeper George Long with a terrific effort from 25 yards. Centre-back Charlie Goode also fluffed a last-gasp header from a corner but their late flurry was not enough to save Scunthorpe from going into Christmas on the back of a third successive home defeat.
Having famously met Wigan Athletic in the Premier League during the 2006/07 season, which United won the meeting in Wigan (least said about the fixture at Bramall Lane), the Latics remain the ONLY football club the Blades have played in all four Divisions.
Blades boss Nigel Adkins will once again be without suspended striker Che Adams, who serves the last of a three match ban following his sending off against Oldham Athletic in the Emirates FA Cup. He will be made available for selection again in our next fixture at home to Bradford City which also coincides as the Blades final competitive fixture of 2015.
Having netted in two consecutive fixtures, Billy Sharp is likely to retain his place in the starting XI where he could be joined by former Wigan forward Conor Sammon with Matt Done dropping to the bench. Meanwhile winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce (hamstring) returned to the bench last weekend, he may not be risked but would replace Martyn Woolford if he is to start at the DW Stadium. It remains to be seen whether midfielder Jose Baxter returns to the squad after recently being disciplined by the club for an unspecified incident.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Wigan Athletic 1 Sheffield United 1
