Having come within a whisker of posting their first win of the season, the Owls are within touching distance of making significant strides in the Championship, said Dave Jones after the 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday.
Wednesday turned in a spirited performance at The Amex Stadium, with the hosts equalising right at the last to earn a share of the spoils.
Jones said: “I keep saying it but we are not that far away. We’ve shown that in all but one game we have played this season.
We were magnificent tonight and one lapse has cost us but that’s the way it’s been for us.
“And that’s what I’ve said to the players and harsh as it is, that’s the way it is in this division. You switch off and you will get punished.
“But we played so well. We dominated parts of the game, we soaked up everything they threw at us, and they were limited to launching it towards the end.
“But overall, I thought we turned in a superb performance and it shows what we have learned in a year in this division.
“This time last year, we came to Brighton, they played expansive football and we got rolled over.
“But tonight we were completely different and if we had hung on for the win, we would have deserved it.”
Ipswich are next up for the Owls at Hillsborough and Jones added that everyone in the camp is desperate to notch that elusive victory.
He said: “It’s like a monkey on the back if you like and that’s how everyone will see it.
“We fought like lions tonight and that shows you how much the players wanted it.
“But they are not down, they are just incredibly frustrated that we made just the one error in 95 minutes.
“But we will carry on, the confidence is there, the determination is there and we go again on Saturday.”