Why Sheffield Wednesday must make the most of a kind-looking fixture list

Out of Wednesday's next nine Championship outings, the only team Garry Monk's men are due to face who are not in the bottom half of the table are fellow play-off contenders Millwall.

It is a kind looking fixture list between now and March 7 when they travel to high-flying Brentford, featuring away trips to the three clubs currently occupying the relegation zone: Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and Luton Town.

Confidence is also high in the camp after back-to-back victories on the road at Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United.

"The mood is fantastic," admitted goalkeeper Cameron Dawson.

"It is important when questions are asked that you come out fighting and you show who you are."

Wednesday have shown plenty of fight, character and quality to come through their dip in form over Christmas.

But there remains a dark cloud hanging over the club due to their ongoing row with the English Football League over the controversial sale and leaseback of Hillsborough to owner Dejphon Chansiri.

Should the arbitration process fail and the Owls are found guilty of the charge by an independent disciplinary commission, it is understood sanctions range from a financial penalty to a possible points deduction.

Despite the ongoing dispute, Monk and his players deserve plenty of praise for maintaining their focus and not letting the off-field factors distract them from the job in hand.

Work is going on behind the scenes to strengthen the attacking options at Monk's disposal in the January transfer window.

If the Owls manage to bring in one or two new faces who can add some much-needed dynamism and pace to their forward line, there is no reason why they can't close the gap on the top two (they currently trail second-placed Leeds by 10 points).

But it is imperative Wednesday do not take their eye off the ball. Stoke City, Cardiff City and Hull City appeared eminently winnable matches over the Christmas period and they lost the lot.

As the Owls have learned the hard way, there are no gimmes in this league.