IT’LL BE HARDER THISTIME, WARNS DANIEL

SHEFFIELD Wednesday’s slick brand of football under Carlos Carvalhal surprised all-comers last season but Daniel Pudil admits the element of surprise is no longer on their side, writes Andrew Lawton. The left-back made 42 appearances for the Owls last season while on loan from Watford and has now signed a permanent deal with Wednesday, who have also acquired Almen Abdi from the Hornets. Carvalhal has had a busy summer – having already snapped up former Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher, goalkeeper Jake Kean and defender Elliot Percival. Fletcher’s partnership with the prolific Fernando Forestieri will have the Aston Villa defence, which conceded 76 goals in 38 league games last season, on high alert. The Owls would have taken Villa’s place in the Premier League if not for defeat to Hull in the playoff final, though a repeat promotion bid is no sure thing according to Pudil. “Last season, nobody expected anything from us,” the 29-year-old said. “This season I think it will be a little harder but we will do everything we can to make the fans happy. “Every year it gets harder and harder and that is my experience from my four years in England. “It’s a big challenge in front of us but everyone in the club is ready to do it. Let’s do it together with the fans. “Aston Villa got relegated last season and there is a big expectation from them. We’ll have a lot of fans in the stadium, it’s on the TV and I’m really looking forward now. “Sheffield Wednesday was my first choice and I knew I wanted to be here. It helps I know the manager, the team and Sheffield – that helped me make the decision to come back.”

SHEFFIELD Wednesday have a new tactic to try to confuse the opposition this season – baffling squad numbers! Back-up goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith has been handed No.2, meaning right-back Liam Palmer has been demoted to No.16, while experienced striker Steven Fletcher has been given the No.6 shirt, even though nine and ten are free. Perhaps he’s going to play as a centreback. In addition, only six of the jerseys from one to 11 have been filled so far. Will there be a late transfer window spree from Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal...?