Steve Bruce says Sheffield Wednesday are heading into a defining week.
The significance of Saturday’s S6 clash with Aston Villa cannot be underestimated as the Owls seek to close the gap and make up ground on the top six.
Four points is the difference between Wednesday and Villa in sixth and with seven games to go, there is a very slim margin for error if Bruce’s side are to keep top six hopes alive.
And it doesn’t stop there because three days later, the Owls host Nottingham Forest who are also vying for a play-off spot before travelling to automatic promotion hopefuls Leeds next week.
“Without question it’s a defining week for a lot I would think,” Bruce said.
“Three games in a week, it will be defining and it’s all to play for – fantastic.
“I think all of the games are must win now, if we’re realistic with the teams we are playing, I think we need to win them all.
“There are one or two twists or turns for sure, all we can do is try and do what we’ve done in the last few weeks and keep the momentum going and keep ourselves in there.”
No other side in the Championship boasts an unbeaten run longer than the Owls, which stands at 12 and as Wednesday look to keep that going against Villa, Bruce added:
“Unfortunately, we are running out of games.
“We have still got a chance but I’ve said all along, it’s only a small one. We must try and keep on going and you never know.
“There are a lot of teams competing for two places, if we’re being realistic, and this is the tickly bit and we’ll see all sorts of results.
“The Championship will always throw up a few because that’s the nature of the division.”