‘The Championship gets more and more difficult every year,’ believes Sheffield Wednesday first-team coach Lee Bullen

The Owls, preparing for an eighth consecutive year in the second-tier, will be joined in the division by relegated Cardiff City, Fulham and Huddersfield Town.

Luton Town, Barnsley have Charlton Athletic will also be looking to make an impact after claiming promotion from League One.

Bullen told The Star: "I think the league will be as strong as ever. We know how tough Luton are, having played them twice in the FA Cup. They will be there or thereabouts.

"All the teams coming up have quality and are going to be fantastic additions.

"The teams coming down have got the financial clout, on top of the two or three clubs who are receiving parachute payments every year, so it is getting harder and harder every year.

"We know exactly how tough the Championship is but we also know how good we can be on our day. It is just a case of being consistent and getting a run of form which ultimately leads to teams getting promoted."

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Despite a big improvement in the team's performances and results this calendar year, Wednesday finished in a disappointing 12th position in the 2018/19 season.

But Bullen is urging the Owls to be looking up rather than down heading into next term.

The Scot said: "Ultimately for a club the size and the history of Sheffield Wednesday, it has to be looking at the top position in the league.

"I think every club that starts in the league has got to believe they can go into that league and win it.

"Ultimately, if you fall a bit short, you are runner up. If you fall short of that, you are in the play-offs and that's where you have to be looking.

"I'm not one to add pressure on to anybody because I know as much as anybody how difficult this league is. It gets more and more difficult every season.

"But ultimately if you don't head into the beginning of the season believing you can win that league then you are in the wrong game."

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