Sheffield Wednesday: Owls midfielder happy to handle the heat from the stands

Some might argue that a frustrated section of Owls fans are looking for too much given the club’s steep rise in the past two years.

And the counter argument will be that the big sums of money spent during the time since Dejphon Chansiri took charge would give supporters the belief that the team should be higher than the sixth place in the Championship in which they currently sit.

Carlos Carvalhal has recognised that expectations have risen and there is a little bit more pressure on his and the team during this campaign, to at the very least secure a place in the play-offs and probably book another date at Wembley, like last year.

It is up to the squad, then, to show they can cope with the additional challenge they didn’t have last season.

Some will take to it better than others.

For experienced members of the playing staff, like David Jones, who has four promotions on his CV, it comes with the territory.

In this division, Sheffield Wednesday are a big club again and Jones says it is surprise that pressure has come from progression.

“It is natural,” he said.

“There are players who have been here a lot longer than me and they have seen the expectations grow and grow season upon season.

“Everyone wants that as it shows you have been successful as a club and you are looking forward to pushing on and looking forward.

“There has been a natural progression.”

Jones won promotion to the Premier League with Derby County, Wolves and twice with Burnley, with the most recent coming just last season as the Clarets made an immediate return after relegation.

The 32 year-old who began his career at Manchester United, played 36 times in the top flight last year and knows what it takes to battle at both ends of the table.

It is that experience that he feels can hold him in good stead between now and the end of what is likely to be a tense campaign.

“For me personally, the expectation has been there having been at previous clubs who have been promoted so I’m used to it and it is what I want from being at such a good club as Sheffield Wednesday,” he added.

“You want that feeling of expectation and pushing on because it is a big club and the fanbase is massive.

“There is a lot of expectation now. This is why the manager has brought in a lot of good players this year as he wanted to raise the standard of the squad and to be able to deal with the expectation of the club.”