Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Adam Reach has suggested the squad’s fitness and high level of intensity in games has played role in their fast start to the season.

The Owls are currently fourth in the Championship with three wins from four games.

After Steve Bruce left in July it would’ve been understandable if Wednesday had made a shaky start to the season but with caretaker boss Lee Bullen at the helm it has been far from that.

They now face a meeting with 10th-place Preston North End at Deepdale and, speaking to The Yorkshire Post ahead of the game, Reach indicated the squad’s fitness had been vital to their start.

He said: “First and foremost when you play Preston, you have to match their intensity as they are always at 100 percent and come flying out of the blocks.

“This season, we can match teams for intensity and everyone can see how fit we are. We do not tire on 60 or 70 minutes and if anything we get stronger as the games go on.

“The fans were getting frustrated in the first half (against Luton) and we tried to keep our heads and went in at half time and said it is about us and we needed to increase our intensity and did.

“Hopefully we can show a bit more quality on Saturday. But if that does not happen, let’s not panic.

“We have got more than enough in the dressing room to get through scrappy games.”

A win on Saturday could take them top of the table if results elsewhere go their way.

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The Verdict

Wednesday have made a fantastic start to the season under Bullen and they’re unlucky not to have a 100% record, with their only defeat coming in a game they dominated against a 10-man Millwall.

Preston are unbeaten at Deepdale so far this season and it will likely be a tough test for Bullen's men on Saturday.

The fitness and intensity that Reach has described could be key once again if the Owls are to grab the three points.