Life at Sheffield Wednesday for Steve Bruce has started in unbeaten fashion, but he knows that picking up four points from a possible six will not paper over the cracks at Hillsborough.

The Owls have had an up and down season with the club currently 16th in the table ahead of a tough looking test against Millwall at The Den tomorrow evening.

Wednesday drew a blank with struggling Reading last weekend ahead of the trip to the capital, and Bruce spoke after the game, insisting he needs time to alter the fortunes of a beleaguered team.

Bruce’s men could still make the play-offs if their form sustains and improves in the coming weeks after a win on his debut in the dugout and draw in his first home game as Owls boss.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and that is what the new Wednesday boss was inferring when speaking to the press after last weekend’s stalemate with the Royals.

"There are a lot of challenges. That’s why I have come here,” Bruce said. "There is one common denominator you need, and that’s time.

“We understand that we don’t get a lot of it these days but there is a lot of work to be done, there are players who are out of contract in the summer who are itching for a new deal, so it’s an important two or three months.

“I will try to rejuvenate and turn it round.

"I am under no illusion how difficult it is going to be, but I think the supporters here understand there is a big job on. The club has had a tough time for 18 months, so it is up to me to shake it again and get the team going again.”

The verdict

In an era of rash decisions and compulsion to instantaneous success, Bruce is offering a calm and measured message to the Owls fans.

And he is right to do so.

Bruce knows there are issues at the club, he would have had done before agreeing to become the manager, and he knows time is needed to turn things around.

Even the hierarchy at the club will know that is what is needed now after a whirlwind year or so at Hillsborough.

You would imagine he will get said time and turn the club around having the track record he does at a number of clubs.