It seems highly likely that Steve Bruce will take over at Sheffield Wednesday in the immediate future, tasked with turning around their fortunes after the recent collapse under Jos Luhukay.

The unpopular Dutchman lost his job just days after being told by Dephon Chansiri that he wasn't going to be making any rash decisions. That move prompted a change in fortunes for the Owls, with caretaker boss Lee Bullen overseeing a four-match unbeaten run.

That doesn't mean he's in the frame for the job though and despite the good form, there's still lots to assess and manage at Hillsborough. Steve Bruce has to make an immediate impact if he's going to push them up the table - though his arrival could be delayed according to Mark Clemmit.

A play-off assault looks unlikely, they're 11 points away from Derby County, but with 20 matches still to play it isn't impossible. However, the immediate focus will be on amassing enough points to put lots of space between them and the bottom three.

How will he do that? Patiently, slowly and by addressing the three issues we've highlighted here...

There's been real discord between the players, management and the fans. That has to be addressed, more so than any issues on the field in terms of personnel.

The fans have to believe, the players have to want to play and the whole club has to pull in the right direction.

It's been toxic around Hillsborough for a while now and Bruce has to sort that as a matter of urgency.

They're not offering much going forward and the limited options up front have a lot to do with that. Gary Hooper has disappeared completely, Nuhiu simply isn't Championship quality and Steven Fletcher cannot go on forever.

Bruce has to get the best out of Forestieri and find someone capable of leading the line, operating perhaps as a target man whom the ball sticks to.

Across the back there's been confusion and uncertainty. What is the best combination? Is there a need to switch the 3-5-2 formation they've tried and failed with, maybe going to a flat back four?

They've also got to choose a first team keeper and stick with him, hopefully, Keiren Westwood who has returned from the doldrums recently.

The problem is, Steve Bruce doesn't always have a great track record when it comes to sorting out a defence. Just ask Aston Villa fans.