What Joey Pelupessy makes of Barry Bannan and the returning Sheffield Wednesday players

Now, things are very different.

The 24 year-old, still very much a novice in respect to English football, has recently seen competition rise in the middle of the park as players make a comeback from long periods out of the team.

It’s not, however, a factor he is worrying about at this stage.

Pelupessy recognises the strength of this squad when everyone is fit and available and is happy for Jos Luhukay to be given some difficult calls between now and the end of the season.

“There is more competition now but I don’t think that’s a bad thing,” he said. “Everyone is getting better and wants to play. I don’t think it’s a bad thing.

“(Luhukay) has to make the decisions but it’s good for the group.”

And competition aside, Pelupessy has been lauding the opportunity to play alongside Barry Bannan, whose recent return to the side has helped Wednesday to a three-game winning run.

“It’s very nice to play with Barry,” added Pelupessy who arrived from Heracles Almelo in January.

“He’s a very good player. I can give him the ball every time. We know each other a little bit but all the midfielders are good here.

“I played with Sam Hutchinson last week and of course with Adam Reach, who I have played with since the beginning.

“I have good players around me and it makes it easier for me to play football.”

Pelupessy has settled well into life in the Championship, performing particularly well in the last two games - victories over Preston and Sunderland.

In the latter, it was his free kick that led to the crucial second goal against the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light on Monday - finding Tom Lees with an inch-perfect cross.

“Sometimes you have to fight for the free-kicks here and the set-pieces, as so many players want to take them,” he said.

“ I always practice them in the training sessions. I was with Barry Bannan and he said to me to get the ball in the gap between the goalkeeper and the defender and it was a nice moment.”

Pelupessy has been through some rocky times already in a Wednesday shirt with the Owls having flirted with relegation, but with form improving and that threat seemingly lifted, the midfielder says morale is high in the camp.

“It was so important to go on a good run,” he said.

“The last time we won a game we then maybe lost two in a row or just got a draw.

“When you win three games in a row, it gives you a very good feeling. It’s good for the team and the confidence is growing.”

“I’m getting better,” he added, on his own form recently.

“I’m developing. I think it is a good decision for me to be here and hopefully I can play a long time here.”