Life is pretty good at the moment for those supporters from the red and white half of Sheffield, with the Blades currently two points clear at the top of the Championship table and arch-rivals Wednesday languishing third from bottom. Monday's 3-1 victory at Crewe saw Neil Warnock's side maintain their two-point lead over Reading and United fans will be hoping the club can mount a serious promotion challenge this time around. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with striker Neil Shipperley, who was one of United's goalscorers at Gresty Road..
Q:
YOU MUST BE DELIGHTED WITH THE START THE CLUB HAVE MADE?
A:
Yes, it's gone really well so far, touch wood. In fact, I don't think I've ever been in a team that has won five of their first six games of the season. From a personal point of view, it's also nice to have managed to get a couple of goals as well.
Q:
YOU MUST BE PLEASED TO BE PLAYING AGAIN AFTER A FRUSTRATING SEASON AT CRYSTAL PALACE LAST YEAR?
A:
If you ask any player they will tell you that they are miserable when they're not playing regularly and that was the case with me last year. It was a difficult time, I had a couple of injuries and then when I recovered from those I found it hard to win a regular place in the team. But that's all behind me now and I'm enjoying a new challenge here at Sheffield United.
Q:
HOW HAVE YOU TAKEN TO NEIL WARNOCK?
A:
He's been fine. I know he's got a bit of a reputation in the game but I take people how I find them and he has been great so far. He's a real character and knows how to get the best out of his players.
Q:
HAVE YOU BEEN SURPRISED BY THE CLUB'S GREAT START?
A:
I wouldn't say I've been surprised because there are some very good players here, it's just pleasing that everything has clicked so early in the season. We've had a couple of last-minute goals that have won us games but, in all honesty, I think they were matches we deserved to win anyway.
Q:
WAS THE WIN AT CREWE FULLY DESERVED?
A:
Most definitely. We went a goal down early on but from then on we were the better side and could have had a few more goals in the second half. Now we go into a break two points clear at the top of the table and that gives us a chance to re-charge our batteries and try to continue the good form.
Q:
BEARING IN MIND THE CLUB'S FORM RIGHT NOW, IS A BREAK A GOOD THING FOR YOU?
A:
You can look at it both ways, but to be honest I don't think it makes a great deal of difference. We've got a few niggling injuries amongst the squad and it gives those players a bit more time to recover. It also gives the other players a bit of a breather because it has been a pretty hectic schedule so far.
Q:
WHICH OTHER TEAMS DO YOU EXPECT TO BE UP THERE CHALLENGING FOR PROMOTION?
A:
That's a difficult question, it could be any one of about ten teams, it's that tight. There are a long list of sides that are capable of going on a run and getting into the promotion mix. I expect Crystal Palace to be up there at the end, the same applies to Southampton and Wolves, and you can't rule out Luton after their start. But there's no reason why we shouldn't be one of those teams - Sheffield United have gone pretty close in the last three or four seasons, so maybe this could be our year.
