Eight games into his first spell in the Championship, Steven Fletcher says he now has first-hand experience of just how tough the division is.
Having played most of his career in the Premier League, save a spell with Hibs at the start and a loan stint with Marseilles, the Scot believes the levels in the Championship are getting higher and higher.
The in-form striker recalled his time with the likes of Sunderland, Wolves and Burnley in the top flight when drawn against Championship opposition in the cups.
“When I was in the Premier League and we played cup games against Championship sides we never looked forward to it,” he said.
“You knew it was going to be a tough game and now I’m here, I realise why. The players in this division are quality.
“You only have to look at the players we have here to prove that.
“It’s moved things to another level, you can see the quality in the division now and it’s great for the fans.”
On his start with Wednesday, Fletcher added: “Opposing teams have been very complimentary about us but obviously sometimes results haven’t gone the way we would have liked.
“We’ve battled well, had some good results and some games that we maybe should have done a little better in but overall I think we’ve shown that we’re a very good team.”