Nigel Adkins wants Sheffield United focus after Manchester United draw
Thursday 10 December 2015 19:19, UK
Nigel Adkins insists Sheffield United will not let the lure of an FA Cup third-round tie with Manchester United distract from their main goal of promotion.
The Blades face a trip to Old Trafford in January after holding on with 10 men to beat Oldham last weekend.
That result ended a five-match winless run that has seen the Blades slip down to 12th in League One, six points off the play-off places.
Adkins hopes the cup victory will be the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes, but does not want his players already looking ahead to the meeting with United.
"It's a great lift for the supporters and something to look forward to, but our energy and focus is on the next game," he told the FL72 Podcast ahead of his side's 10 in 10 clash with Coventry on Sky Sports on Sunday.
"When we joined in the summer the goal was to get promoted and that is what we want. It is a big football club and we have to use all our energy to get promoted.
"We are not even halfway through the season. It's a challenging division, we are in the race and we have to stay in it. We have experience of doing that. We need to have that grit and resilience to keep going."
The Blades have not won in the league since October 20 and face a tricky clash with high-flying Coventry this weekend.
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Tony Mowbray's side boast the top scorer in the division in Adam Armstrong and could go top of the table with victory at Bramall Lane.
"They play really good football," said Adkins. "It's going to be a challenge but we have to impose ourselves on them at home.
"The expectation is high but if we want to be at the top level we have to thrive on that expectation. We all share a common goal about the club progressing.
"We have to look forward to winning the game and then building on it."
