BLADES boss Nigel Adkins was pleased to see his side enact the complete game plan to pick up their 2-0 at Swindon Town.

Adkins enjoyed watching from the side as his team soaked up and ultimately nullified the threat of a home side who enjoyed 10 per cent more of the ball.

The new man at the helm of Bramall Lane admitted he headed to the County Ground with the idea to take a more limited approach, knowing that if they tried to go toe-to-toe with Town they would come off second best.

Whilst that remains to be seen, the Blades strategy on Saturday proved to be a successful one. Town were afforded very few clear opportunities and, with a striker of the quality of Billy Sharp, United knew they could rely on him to take theirs.

So it proved, but not until after Neill Collins had given the visitors the lead from a set-piece.

The way his team were able to keep Town safely at a distance and then pick them off so ruthlessly gave Adkins great pleasure.

"We have come with a plan to win away from home," he said. "We played with two up front despite being away from home. We had two wingers out there.

"We were very secure. We knew Swindon would pass it about. We've had six or seven opportunities to score goals. It was a very good performance by the players.

"We kept compact and made sure they have had to go all the way around us and slowed the game down.

“The gaps were blocked off really well, the shape was excellent. We have defended as a team, starting from the front two. Everyone is playing a part. There's a belief about everybody.

"It was a very, very good, disciplined professional performance against a good side who, if you give them space will give you problems."