Consistent team selection key to Sheffield United's upturn in form says Adkins after 3-0 win over Chesterfield

United beat near-neighbours Chesterfield 3-0 at the Proact, thanks to an early goal from on-loan defender Alex Baptiste and one apiece from the increasingly impressive partnership of Che Adams and Billy Sharp.

Ever since losing to Southend at the end of March which dealt an almost irreparable blow to their play-off hopes, United have beaten Wallsall, drawn 0-0 against Gillingham in a game they could have should have won, and then put the Spireites to the sword. The same team has played each of those games and Adkins says results have got better because of that fact.

"We've managed to keep the same team for three games running, three clean sheets, three good performances," he said. "We have just got to keep building on that. When we review the season as a whole the times when we have been consistent in our team selections has helped so hopefully moving forward we can be in a much stronger position with the physicality, the athleticism and the robustness of the players."

On the victory Adkins added: "The players played well, it's another victory, I think that's three clean sheets on the spin now. The same team have played the last three games, the players have done extremely well, scored some good goals and the supporters were right behind them as well so it's been a good day in respect of getting the three points and a day out in a local derby."

"I thought we were deserving of the victory, I thought we were on the front foot, we should have scored more really. It was a clear penalty on Billy towards the end. We looked solid defensively but we could play some football on a lively pitch. We can play football, we can create chances, so I was pleased today."