The team who George Boyd hopes Sheffield Wednesday can emulate in the forthcoming season

George Boyd is refusing to take anything for granted in the coming season.

The Bluebirds, managed by ex-Sheffield United chief Neil Warnock, hit the ground running last campaign, picking up maximum points from their opening five fixtures.

Their positive start gave the Welsh club confidence, belief and momentum to sustain a top-two challenge.

And ultimately, Cardiff secured automatic promotion, finishing runners-up behind champions Wolverhampton Wanderers to seal a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2014.

Midfielder turned wing back Boyd told The Star: "No one would have thought Cardiff would be up there but they got on a roll and built up that momentum.

"If you are winning games, it gives confidence to everyone. You feel like no one can stop you and you can beat anyone."

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Slow starts have hindered Wednesday's progress in each of the last three campaigns.

Of their last 15 league fixtures played in August, the Owls have recorded just a paltry three victories.

But Boyd insists the team can take confidence from a strong end to the 2017/18 season when Jos Luhukay's men won six of their last nine matches.

"We have already had a meeting about how good our form was at the end of last season," said Boyd.

"I think we picked up six wins, a draw and two defeats. If we can take that form into next season, hopefully we can make a fantastic start.

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"We grew more as the season went on and the gaffer got his ideas across. We weren't really giving teams many chances and we looked solid as a defensive unit and by the end of it we were scoring a lot of goals. If we can get that balance right, we will be a force."

Wednesday will go to new boys Wigan Athletic for their Championship opener on Saturday, August 4.

After the trip to the DW Stadium, Luhukay's side welcome Boyd's former employers Hull City to Hillsborough.

They round off a busy month with clashes against Brentford, Millwall and Ipswich Town.

Boyd, who featured in the wing back role in Friday's friendly win over Lincoln City, said: "People will say, on paper, it doesn't look a bad start but we know what the Championship is like. It's a tough league.

"Wigan, for example, are going to come out of League One with a lot of confidence.

"So what we have to do is take the momentum we generated last season into the new season."

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