RORY McArdle and Stephen Darby weren’t too sure what to expect when they sat down for a question-and-answer session with City fans this week.

Coming on the back of the Barnsley loss, the defensive duo might have anticipated a slightly awkward night with the East Bierley Bantams.

It was nothing of the sort as the supporters gave them the warmest of welcomes – but there was one question that left McArdle genuinely stumped.

He said: “Somebody asked me who I thought were the best team we’d played? Without being disrespectful, there isn’t anyone I thought were really good.

“Nobody has really stood out like Wolves and Brentford last year. Wolves ran away with it in the end but this year you can probably look at the top 15.

“Teams are still gelling together. As the Barnsley manager said last week, they’ve got a lot of new players in and a few young lads so their league position probably doesn’t reflect the quality they’ve got.

“We know last week was a real opportunity for us to get right up into the play-offs but games like that can happen.

“Darbs and I did wonder how the fans night would go after that but everyone was generally fine. If they looked at the picture as a whole, I think it’s been a reasonable start.”

With Sheffield United and Bristol City over the next four days, City lock horns with two of League One’s most fancied clubs.

For McArdle, a Wednesdayite as a lad, there is an added edge to tonight’s televised proceedings at Valley Parade.

He added: “I know a lot of Wednesday mates will be rooting for me but it’s pretty split where I live between Wednesday and United.

“There are also a few Rotherham fans but they only seem to come out of the woodwork when they are doing all right.

“Last season was the first time I’ve played against United in a senior game. So a win and draw was all right from my point of view.

“I remember my friend’s dad was at the home game and shouting at me from the stand! It’s always nice to try and get one over them.

“Sheffield United finished strongly last year and got to the FA Cup semi-finals so they must have been confident of building on that this season.

“It’s also a good benchmark game for us to see how far we’ve come.”

It is City’s second appearance in six days in front of the Sky cameras. After the second-half slump at Oakwell, they want to put on a show more akin to the televised Capital One Cup thriller with Leeds in August.

McArdle, the only player to have been on the pitch for every minute of City’s campaign so far, believes they can feed off the atmosphere.

“We don’t normally disappoint when Sky come to Valley Parade. The last one (against Leeds) turned out all right and if it’s anything on par with that, then everyone will be happy.

“It’s a great game to have after Barnsley, better than somewhere low key away from home. The place will be bouncing.

“I’m sure Sheffield United will fill out their allocation and our home support will be big as always. Being a Yorkshire derby as well will add a bit of spice.

“Hopefully we can start fast like last week but keep it going. We can’t afford to sit back like that again.”