Sheffield United: Adkins wants instant impact from new Blades signings

Players incapable of making an immediate impact will not be considered for moves to Bramall Lane during this month's transfer window, manager Nigel Adkins has confirmed.
Nigel AdkinsNigel Adkins
Nigel Adkins

Instead, Adkins, who is thought to have approached Fulham last week about the possibility of signing defender Dan Burn revealed only experienced professionals are being monitored ahead of February 1’s 11pm deadline.

“We want players who can help us get promoted here and now, in the present,” he told The Star.

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“The long-term vision is young and hungry players; that’s also part of the strategy.

“But right now it’s about getting us up. There’s a great spirit about the players and that can take us a long way. They’ve all got roles to play.”

Adkins, whose side returns to League One action at Blackpool tomorrow, outlined plans to overhaul United’s recruitment policy ahead of last weekend’s game against Swindon Town.

Having previously described his first-team squad as “bloated”, the former Scunthorpe, Southampton and Reading chief insisted he was “not in the business of collecting players” and vowed not to spend his employer’s money unless the deal was “exactly” right.

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“It’s important to remember, as I’ve mentioned before, that we have good players here already and, just as importantly, a very good spirit and sense of togetherness among the group as a whole,” he said. “Whatever we do, we will maintain that.”

“It’s all about balance,” he added. “We want to strengthen and build on what we have already got, not threaten it. We have identified people we think are capable of doing that, and the conversations we have will take place quietly and in private. That is the right and proper way.”