Bury v Sheffield United: Shaken Bury are sure to stir themselves, says Adkins

The Shakers are reeling after a humiliating 6-0 drubbing at Coventry, the club’s worst defeat in 27 years.

Manager David Flitcroft issued an apology following his side’s meek display, which continued the Lancashire club’s slide down the League One table.

Blades’ manager is expecting to face fired-up hosts this evening as a consequence.

Adkins, whose side are seeking to continue to exert pressure on the play-off pack following the morale-boosting weekend win at Doncaster Rovers, said: “There will be a reaction from Bury.

“It will be a very competitive game and we know that and have got to be ready for that.

“I have listened to the manager’s comments and he will be looking for a big response.

“But we have got to concentrate on ourselves and go into the game on the back of a good away win and clean sheet.”

Saturday’s fillip at Keepmoat Stadium was jointly orchestrated by the club’s senior men and the influential teenage trio of Che Adams, Louis Reed and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

All provided food for thought for Adkins, with the sight of Adams back on the scoresheet and in the groove again being a welcome one after a campaign in which he has had to learn valuable lessons on and off the pitch.

Adkins said: “It was a good start from him (Adams) and he had his (good) start to the season and then came out again.

“We talk about a lot of things that go off behind the scenes that young men are surrounded with in modern-day football and life.

“But I’d like to think we have got a good culture and strive to keep improving all the way through the football club to give the opportunity to young players to go and flourish.

“The players we have got have potential and we have got to extract that out of them and maximise that as much as possible.

“They have a great chance if they are on the pitch playing. But if we can get the right habits out of them in training every day, that can only improve them as well.”

Last six games: Bury DWDLLL, Sheffield United DWDDLW.

Referee: S Attwell (Nuneaton).

Last time: Bury 0 Sheffield United 2; February 12, 2013; League One.