Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Keith Edwards has heaped praised on Leon Clarke, admitting he has never seen the Sheffield United striker in better form throughout his long career.

Clarke took his goal tally for the Sky Bet Championship season to eight on Saturday afternoon, bagging four goals against Hull City, as the Blades secured a 4-1 victory over the Tigers, despite falling behind in the contest at Bramall Lane.

Edwards, who was the last Sheffield United player to score four goals in a game at Bramall Lane, was quick to praise Clarke following his goalscoring heroics, claiming that the striker was in the best form of his career at this current time.

Edwards said: “I’ve never seen him play as well as this and I’ve seen him at quite a few clubs in his career. Logically, great credit for that has got to go to (manager) Chris Wilder and his assistant Alan Knill.

“Getting the best out of your players, putting them in the right situations to perform, is all part of good management and they are certainly doing that. The consistency Leon is showing is the key to that. Clearly, he is being given the platform to perform and do what he’s good at.”

Clarke’s four goals helped to send Sheffield United back into the automatic promotion places, with Wilder’s side responding perfectly to the midweek defeat suffered against Queens Park Rangers, which knocked the Blades off the top of the Championship table.

Wilder’s side enter next week’s international break second, having picked up 33 points from their opening 16 fixtures of the season. Following next week’s break, the Blades face a trip to Burton Albion, before returning to Bramall Lane for back-to-back home fixtures with Fulham and Birmingham City.

The Verdict

Edwards is right, Clarke has never been in better form, and he is one of the main reasons that Sheffield United are excelling in the Championship at this current time.

The 32-year-old is scoring goals, but also proving to be the focal point of attack, with Sheffield United’s style built around the striker’s strengths.

Clarke’s four goals on Saturday will be remembered at Bramall Lane for a long time, in the same way that Edwards’ have.

Sheffield United fans… Let us know your thoughts!