THE only way Neil Warnock would ever win a popularity contest is if Robbie Savage was the only other contestant.

Even then you would be well advised not to put money on it unless the voters were hand picked off the Sheffield United forecourt on match day.

It would be an interesting contest. Warnock would no doubt be less than complimentary about Savage's flowing blond locks and rather less fluent skills in the build up while Savage would get in a sneaky dig that nobody else would notice but which would send Warnock into a raging fury.

The audience would believe that Savage must have done something to cause such a hostile reaction and they would boo him mercilessly without really knowing why.

Savage would get a warning but not eliminated although his agent may withdraw him for his own safety and Warnock would launch a scathing attack on the judges, the opponent, the audience and the old lady who was just passing by walking her dog.

Warnock is that kind of guy. He is widely disliked among his peers because he is disrespectful, argumentative and abusive towards people.

His rant at Sunday's FA Cup semi-final referee Graham Poll, which called on him to be banned from refereeing for making a costly incorrect decision, was typical Warnock. Bless him.

He could cause an argument in a phone box but, love him or loathe him, he gets results and always has done.

His record at Scarborough, Notts County and Huddersfield was excellent but what he has achieved at Sheffield United this season is unbelievable.

He has taken the club he supported as a kid to the semi-finals of both cups, where they gave Premiership giants Liverpool and Arsenal a massive scare, and the First Division play-offs now beckon.

In three years he has spent a meagre £1 million on players and his total wage bill is just £3 million a year, less than Michael Owen is on alone.

Where Warnock lets himself down is with his mouth. But that is nothing new.

Four years ago, on arriving as manager of Bury, he told a press conference that he would quit football management five years from then because he wanted to enjoy life out of football.

If you believe what he says, that gives him one more year in the game.

But with Warnock you should always take what he says with a pinch of salt.