Sunday marks the start of a long road ahead for Wednesday as the Championship season gets underway.
Daniel Pudil – back with the club on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell last season – believes the division is now harder than ever but says everyone is ready to tackle it head on.
As Wednesday put their preparations in place for the televised opener with Aston Villa on Sunday, Pudil cannot wait to sample the big-game atmosphere at Hillsborough once again.
“Last season, nobody expected anything from us,” Pudil explained. “This season I think it will be a little harder but we will do everything we can to make the fans happy.
“Every year it gets harder and harder and that is my experience from my four years in England.
“But it’s nice to be involved in this competition, it’s a big challenge in front of us but everyone in the club is ready to do it.
“Let’s do it together with the fans.”
He continued: “Aston Villa only got relegated last season and there is a big expectation from them as well.
“We’ll have a lot of fans in the stadium, it’s on the TV and I’m really looking forward now.”
DANIEL PUDIL
- Joined Owls on loan in August 2015
- Made 42 appearances on loan from Watford in 2015/16
- Returned to Hillsborough on a permanent contract in July 2016
- Scored two league goals last season