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.”

‘Worst performance since i’ve been here’, says Leek Town boss Neil Cox

Leek Town boss Neil Cox has described his side’s defeat as their ‘worst performance’ since he joined the club a month ago.

The Blues are down to 17^th in the table after a 2-0 loss to Sheffield at Harrison Park on Saturday (Nov 6).

Neil Cox’s men have now suffered five home league defeats in eight games and he had no real complaints about the result of the game.

Neil Cox

He said: “That was the worst performance since I’ve been here.

“We started the game off well with two good chances then we conceded a sloppy goal before creating a couple of further chances through Paul Rutter and Dan Cope.

“In the second half we didn’t start well and after good possession we gave the ball away, conceded a corner at which some players failed to take responsibility and as a result we go two down.

“Things will change for the game at Carlton on Wednesday with Stuart Heeps, Leon Ashman and new signing Jamie Haynes all likely to start.”

Sheffield struck early when a right wing cross was met by the head of big centre forward Brian Cusworth, who was left unmarked and had the simplest of tasks to head home from eight yards out with just nine minutes on the clock.

Paul Rutter and Dan Cope brought good saves out of Sheffield keeper Dan Whatsize before Sheffield had two good chances to increase their lead before the break.

Eight minutes into the second half, Sheffield increased their lead when a corner was played back to Ashley Burbeary outside the box and he hit a superb low strike into the right hand corner of Hodgson’s net.

The Blues travel to Carlton Town on Wednesday (Nov 10) night. Kick-off is 7.45pm