Nigel Adkins angry over Easter Monday switch for Sheffield United

The Blades have joined the growing number of clubs to protest at Sky’s policy of moving games for live broadcast.

Leeds United have been one of the loudest critics of Sky’s fixture switching, with 13 games already moved for televised screening.

Now, the Blades have been left fuming after their Easter Monday trek to Southend United in League One, has been put back 48 hours to Wednesday March 30 and an evening kick-off for Sky.

Some United fans had already booked a weekend away around the Roots Hall trip, and those plans are now in disarray.

Asked about the fixure change, Adkins said: “Don’t get me started on that one. I’ve spoken to the Football League and obviously I’m not happy about it being on a Wednesday.

“It should have been on the Monday but Sky hold the contracts and we can see where football is going at this moment in time, we can’t do anything about it.

“Everyone looks forward to those Easter games but we can complain all we like, it’s not going to move.

“I’ve always said it, I really feel for the fans because they are the ones who put their hands in their pockets.

“They get themselves organised, like us, and make plans. I’ve said that to the Football League as well but it’s out of our hands. We don’t have to agree with it, we don’t have to like it, but it’s out of our hands.

“I appreciate where the finances are, that people have contracts and they pay good money for them. That’s why the Premier League is the league it is and that filters down.

“I understand but I’m not happy with it. I always feel for our supporters because we’ve had to change our plans and our hotels too.”

United will now look to move the Walsall game - planned for the following Saturday, April 2 - back 24 hours to Sunday to allow the Blades players time to recover from the Southend trip.

Adkins said: “Now we’ve got to look to see if we can move the Walsall game to the Sunday?

“They are probably going to be right up at the top of the league and we’ll have to be bang on it.

“But we probably won’t get back until something like 6am on the Thursday morning and that limits your recovery time.

“I’ve got to get on with it, those are the cards we’ve been dealt and we’ve got to play them as best we can.

“Do what we can to give us the best chance of winning those games. It’s a decision that’s been made and that’s that.”

The Blades are currently seventh in League One, ahead of Saturday’s visit of Swindon Town to Bramall Lane.