Since the turn of the year, Sheffield Wednesday have lost just once, beating Wigan Athletic and Ipswich Town and drawing with Reading, winning the fans back in the process.

The mood has lifted significantly around Hillsborough since the sacking of Jos Luhukay and the appointment of Steve Bruce.

With initial help from his assistant Steve Agnew, Bruce has steadied a ship that looked like it could well capsize at any moment, winning the fans back on side and solidifying on pitch issues as well.

On Tuesday, the Owls were in reserve action, facing off against Leeds United and the club opted to field a very strong side.

The likes of Joe Wildsmith, Joost van Aken, Daniel Pudil and Sam Winnall all started as they continued their returns to full fitness.

It prompted a mixed response from the fans, with some happy to see these names back but others worried that it will inevitably lead to another injury problem.

But how should they be feeling?

Well, they should be excited. For the first time in a long while, a host of injured first-team players look well on their way to returning to full fitness.

That return will never be completed unless they are allowed to play full 90-minute matches and reserve fixtures are obviously the most obvious place to do so.

A push for the play-offs is a very optimistic goal, but not impossible, and this line-up should inspire confidence amongst the fans that it could still happen.