Sorry Bramall Lane exit scarred Adams

The lifelong Sheffield United fan and current Port Vale manager, born and bred in the Steel City, was sacked after just five months in charge after the Blades were relegated to the third tier in May, 2011.

He believes some senior players wanted him out and played their part in his dismissal, but is adamant he has moved on since that managerial blow.

“I do not bear grudges, and I am not on a revenge mission. That is not in my nature,” said Adams, who took charge in December, 2010 when Gary Speed left to become Wales coach.

“Let’s just say that managing Sheffield United was the right job at the wrong time for me because there were players in the dressing room who didn’t want me at the club.

“Why? Because they were not prepared to work as hard as I was to try and bring success to United.

“They were protecting their own interests.

“They know who they are and they were the ones who were responsible for me leaving.

“So far as I am concerned, I know where it went wrong there for me and why.

“But I can look myself in the mirror while some others can’t because they did not – or didn’t want to – do themselves justice.

“I’ll leave it at that because it is still difficult to talk about my time at Bramall Lane.

“That is because I am a Blades fan, this was my dream job, and I know it could have worked out a lot differently if I’d had the total suport of everybody there.

“Suffice to say that, for a Sheffield lad who used to stand on the terraces as a kid and cheer the team on, I was very proud to be given the opportunity to manage United.

“It didn’t work out for me and, with hindsight, I have to admit that I probably let my heart rule my head when I agreed to take on the challenge at Bramall Lane.

“The fact is, I just could not turn it down because of my love for the club. But I have moved on, and my focus now is getting success for Port Vale.”

Blades midfield player Kevin McDonald will miss today’s cup encounter after clocking up five yellow cards this season.