Micky Adams leaves Port Vale to join Sheffield United

 

Micky Adams has left Port Vale to take over as manager at Sheffield United.

The much-travelled ex-Fulham, Brighton and Leicester boss, 49, has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to become Gary Speed’s successor at Bramall Lane.

United have agreed to compensate Vale, with Adams leaving the Potteries club in second place in League Two.

Micky Adams

Former Blades player Alan Cork will be Adams’ number two, while caretaker manager John Carver and assistant boss Sam Ellis have left the club.

Adams arrived at Vale Park in June 2009 and, within 18 months, has turned them into a promotion-chasing side.

Having come through the youth ranks at Bramall Lane before beginning his playing career with Gillingham, Adams has made no secret that he is a Blades fan.

He told the club website: “I’ve always supported the Blades and my favourite player growing up was Tony Currie. He was and still is my biggest idol.

“There is no doubt that my task is threefold. Firstly, to ensure that we avoid relegation and there is clearly enough time left in the season to do that.

“Secondly, to help us become a team that can challenge for promotion.

“Lastly, to develop a structure that will us build a reputation for home grown talent that fans can be proud of in their team.

“With the support of the board and the football staff, I intend to do everything I can to bring all that about.”

Former Sheffield United manager Dave Bassett, a close friend of Adams, told BBC Radio Stoke he would do a good job at his hometown club.

“Micky grew up watching them and there is always that dream of being their manager,” said Bassett.

“It will be a hard job, but Micky has got some good qualities.

“He’s worked as a coach, he’s managed at Fulham, Brighton, Brentford and we worked together at Nottingham Forest and Leicester.

“He has a good background and that’s important.”

Let North Staffs Football your thoughts about his departure – will this ruin Vale’s promotion chances?

Micky Adams poised for Port Vale exit

Port Vale manager Micky Adams has been offered the vacant manager’s job at Sheffield United.

The much-travelled ex-Fulham, Brighton and Leicester boss, 49, is the Blades’ choice as successor to Gary Speed.

BBC Radio Stoke understands that, once a compensation package is agreed with Vale, Sheffield-born Adams will depart for the club he followed as a boy.

Adams arrived at Vale Park in June 2009 and, within 18 months, has turned them into a promotion-chasing side.

Micky Adams

Having come through the youth ranks at Bramall Lane before beginning his playing career with Gillingham, Adams has made no secret that he is a Blades fan.

Former Sheffield United manager Dave Bassett, a close friend of Adams, told BBC Radio Stoke that he would do a good job at his home town club.

“Micky grew up watching them and there is always hat dream of being their anager,” said Bassett.

“It will be a hard job, but Micky has got some good qualities.

“He’s worked as a coached, he’s managed at Fulham, Brighton, Brentford and we worked together at Nottingham Forest and Leicester.

“He has a good background and that’s important.”

As things stand both Sheffield United and Port Vale have to agree compensation for Adams and, until that is finalised, Bassett says he will give 100% focus to Vale Park.

“He won’t down tools, he still has a job to do,” added Bassett. “He appreciates that Port Vale gave him an opportunity again and he will not disrespect them.”

Micky Adams in talks over Sheffield United job

Port Vale have given Sheffield United permission to talk to their boss Micky Adams over the managerial vacancy at Bramall Lane.

Vale chairman Bill Bratt said they have ‘reluctantly’ allowed Adams to speak to the Blades after an approach for the former Brighton boss.

Micky Adams

Doncaster boss Sean O’Driscoll played down suggestions on Thursday that he has accepted the Bramall Lane post.

The Blades said they would not appoint a successor to Gary Speed, who took up the Wales vacancy, until the new year.

First-team coach John Carver has been placed in caretaker charge of first-team affairs as Sheffield United look to find a full-time successor to Speed.

Bratt added: “Micky is a terrific manager who has been up front and honest with us throughout the process.

Bill Bratt

‘It’s testament to how well he’s done at Port Vale that we have now been approached.

“Micky was offered a new contract before this happened – and that is still on the table.

“We obviously want him to stay and we know everyone connected with the club feels the same.”

Let North Staffs Football know your thoughts: Will Micky Adams make the move back home to join Sheffield United?

Port Vale Match OFF

Port Vale’s Boxing Day clash with Lincoln City at Vale Park has been called off following further snow and freezing temperatures.

A date has yet to be re-arranged.

Keep checking North Staffs Football for updates on the rest of the region’s games.

Port Vale look to bounce back from Morecambe

Port Vale look to avenge last week’s 1-0 defeat to Morecambe with a win over Barnet at Vale Park tomorrow (December 18).

Vale sit second, just two points off table toppers Chesterfield, but Barnet are reeling in the drop zone and are yet to win away from their Underhill home this season.

Defender Kris Taylor has said that Vale can not afford to be complacent.

Vale Park

He told the club’s website: “Sometimes people look at the table and think you should beat certain sides, but every game at this level is a test.

“Not only are we near the top so teams raise their game against us, they are fighting for survival.”

Micky Adams’s men have only lost one league match at home this year, but they will be hoping to fire a few past Barnet, having only scored ten goals from eight home games this season.

Kick-off is 3.00pm.

Port Vale wait on Morecambe inspection

Port Vale’s trip to Morecambe’s new Globe Arena will only go ahead if the pitch passes a matchday inspection, writes Lewis Constable.

After the lengthy spell of cold weather, the playing surface will be looked at tomorrow morning (December 11).

Manager Micky Adams said that all his team could do is prepare as well as they could for the League Two clash.

Adams said: “As far as we’re concerned we have prepared as though the game is on.

“If the match gets called off then we’ll have to deal with that.”

Defender Gareth Owen revealed his and the squad’s frustration at the disruption caused by the weather.

“At the end of the day we are paid to win football matches, and when our games are called off we are at a loose end.”

Neil Cox praises under pressure Dan Cope

Leek boss Neil Cox has been impressed with the way striker Dan Cope has responded to the pressure for his place, reports The Sentinel.

Dan Cope

Cope was last season’s Leek discovery after scoring 16 goals, and the club was delighted when he postponed his planned four-year scholarship to America.

But the youngster has found this term harder going, and although he is again leading scorer with six, he can no longer command a regular starting place.

Cox is currently looking at Leon Ashman and newcomer Anthony Malbon, from Port Vale, as his front two, so Cope and Paul Rutter have to await their opportunity.

Cox said: “We have four centre-forwards and I told them I would play the best two.”

Micky Adams up for monthly award

Port Vale boss Micky Adams has been nominated for November’s Manager of the Month Award.

In an unbeaten month for the Valiants they recorded four wins and three draws, including a 5-0 thumping over Stockport County.

Micky Adams

Other managers up for the award are: Graham Turner (Shrewsbury Town), Ronnie Moore (Rotherham United) and Paul Buckle (Torquay United).

The winners will be announced on Thurday, December 9.

The panal of judges includes former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley and Sky Sports football league expert Peter Beagrie.

Do you think Micky can win his second-award after picking up the trophy for September this year? Let North Staffs Football know.

Port Vale dump Accrington Stanley out of FA Cup

Port Vale progressed through to the lucrative third-round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over fellow League Two side Accrington Stanley.

Freezing conditions had put the fixture in jeopardy but a first-half goal from Justin Richards soon warmed the home fans up.

Micky Adams named an unchanged side from that which mauled Stockport County 5-0 midweek.

Vale started the better of the side’s and an early goal nearly came from an unlikely source in Adam Yates but the right-back fired wide.

Micky Adams

Accrington’s Ray Putterill looked dangerous for the visitors and blasted over from 25 yards, and shot again moments later stinging the palms of Vale goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson.

Vale’s breakthrough and the only goal of the match came on 24 minutes. A right-wing cross from Gary Roberts was passed back across the face of goal by Rob Taylor, and Richards pounced on the opportunity to bury the ball into the roof of the net.

Vale chanced their luck on 39 minutes as Putterill’s effort beat Tomlinson but was denied by the framework of the goal.

The second-half didn’t give either set of fans much to cheer about as Vale were content at absorbing any Accrington pressure sent their way.

But the visitors could have forced a replay in the dying minutes thanks to Chris Turner’s strike, but Vale were indebted to Kris Taylor’s goal-line clearance and book their place in the third-round with the potential for a money-boosting Premier League tie.

The third-round draw will take place on ITV1 at 6pm with ties to take place over the weekend of January 8th and 9th 2011.

Who would you like to see Vale play in the next round – Manchester United, Chelsea, a lower league team – or Stoke City? Let North Staffs Football know by leaving a reply.

Port Vale dish out Stockport’s third 5-0 defeat

Port Vale returned to the top of League Two in emphatic fashion as they disposed of a lacklustre Stockport County side, writes James Hale.

Vale led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Sean Rigg and Marc Richards.

Port Vale

The first goal came in the 24th minute as Rigg fired into the corner of the net and the second was scored from the spot by Marc Richards after Stockport’s Mansour Assoumani saw red for a late tackle on Justin Richards.

The Valiants then added a further three goals in the second period against ten men.

The third came just after the hour mark again from forward Marc Richards after Stockport’s Adam Griffin brough down Rigg.

Justin Richards and Jake Speight then added injury time goals to send Vale back to the top of the League Two table and leave visitors Stockport struggling in 20th.