BRAMALL Lane boss Nigel Adkins expects Swindon Town to be challenging for promotion from League One once again and says that his Sheffield United side are relishing pitting their wits against Mark Cooper’s men this weekend.

The Blades were blunted by Town in last season’s play-offs but only after a pulsating 5-5 semi-final second leg draw at the County Ground and the United manager has declared himself a fan of the progressive style of play employed by Cooper’s side.

Asked if he expected Swindon to be in the play-off shake-up come the end of the current campaign, Adkins said: “I would have thought so.

“They play in a way that, for me, is good. It’s exciting to watch and again, playing out from the goalkeeper; it gives them an opportunity to control the game.

“I’m sure the experience of them missing out at Wembley last year; they’ll be galvanised from that and they’ll be looking to be there at the end of the season.

“They’re a good team. It’s going to be a good game. I’m looking forward to it.”

But the United boss also thinks that Town’s approach will throw up opportunities for his team to capitalise on.

“Obviously, we’ve done some research on them, watching some games and for me, Mark’s got them playing the way I love watching football played,” said the former Southampton chief.

“They play out from the back, they play through the thirds, they’re very exciting, they’ve very expansive – but by being very expansive, you sometimes leave yourself open as well.

“We’re looking forward to the game. We know it’s going to be a challenging one but it’s one we’re looking to embrace.

“It’s the way I love watching football played; playing out from the goalkeeper, playing through the thirds, controlling the game with the football; because that’s what it’s all about.

“For example, we played Fulham the other night (a 3-0 defeat in the Capital One Cup) and you see how much possession they had of the football – whoever’s got the ball’s king.

“In a controlled manner, it’s beautiful to watch.”

Adkins is also wary of the threat posed by Town’s flying winger Nathan Byrne.

The United manager said: “He’s done really well, hasn’t he? And there are several players like that (in League One), like our own Che Adams.”