Sheffield Wednesday are currently in the play-off positions in the Championship, and in with a real chance of securing promotion back to the Premier League.

Things have not always been so rosy at Hillsborough though over the last few years, and they have spent time in League One and the Championship battling relegation.

Part of the reason is the amount of players they have had to use, and players who have not been of the required quality to push the club on any further.

But, now the Owls have a good side, and are reaping the rewards of a transfer policy which has seen them identify and buy exactly who they want in order to mount a promotion push.

It would be easy to simply say the current XI is the best they have had in five seasons, but in this article FLW's Lee Connor has tried to compile a best XI based on Wednesday players used over the past five seasons........

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE BEST XI!

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GK - Kieren Westwood

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Westwood has developed himself to become the firm number 1 in Sheffield, and since replacing Chris Kirkland has made fans realise just exactly what a top class goalkeeper looks like.

The Irish international is a regular for the Owls, and consistently delivers match winning performances with his shot stopping ability and all around agility.

Westwood is missed when he does not play, and the Owls will be hoping that he can maintain his form and keep playing to the same level he has been doing over the past few seasons.

A solid goalkeeper, he was an easy choice to make this team.

DEF - Tom Lees

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A few eyebrows were raised when the Owls brought in Lees from Yorkshire rivals Leeds United, but he has gone to prove to be an inspired piece of business.

He has delivered excellent performances on a consistent basis for the Owls, and become a rock in the centre of defence and somewhat of a Mr Dependable.

He was key in Stuart Gray's plans last season as Wednesday built a solid foundation at the back, which enabled them to pick up points. Lees has had a few injuries this season, but when fit has shown no signs of his form letting up.

DEF - Reda Johnson

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I couldn't select a best 11 for the Owls without putting in Reda Johnson.

The defender became a cult hero at Hillsborough during his time with the club, often scoring crucial goals as the Owls sealed promotion from League One.

He was a solid performer for the Owls before leaving for Coventry, and many fans will love to talk about him and his attitude when he played.

Johnson was excellent at both centre half and left back for Wednesday, and his role in the promotion winning team of 2011/12 gets him in this team.

DEF - Lewis Buxton

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Buxton turned himself in to a really solid performer for the Owls, becoming a regular at right back and even drawing comparisons to the great Cafu from some sections of the home crowd.

Buxton makes this team even though current right back Jack Hunt is arguably the better player.

Buxton was another one who was a member of the promotion winning team in 2011/12, and he continued his consistent form in to the Championship becoming one of the clubs best performers during the time.

Buxton has since moved on from the club, but he will no doubt always have a good place in Owls fans hearts.

DEF - Glenn Loovens

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The former Celtic defender has been a model of consistency since joining the club, showing the class which once made him a Champions League quality defender.

The Dutchman has been a solid presence for the Owls, and is now club captain in arguably the strongest team the club has had in over a decade, which is testament to his quality.

The defender has experience in abundance, and that shines through in his game and the way he plays, something which manager Carlos Carvalhal will be keen to harness as the season draws to a close.

MID - Michail Antonio

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The West Ham flyer was instrumental in the Owls' promotion campaign under Gary Megson and then Dave Jones, contributing 5 goals in the closing games of the season after joining on loan from Reading.

Antonio then completed a permanent move to the club and continued his good form, which eventually earnt him a move to Nottingham Forest. A £7m move to West Ham then followed, which shows how highly he is rated, and he has continued his good form in the Premier League.

An excellent player and another easy choice for this team due to what he contributed.

MID - Jose Semedo

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Another player who helped the Owls win promotion but maintains a place in the squad, Semedo is a player like Reda Johnson who gets in this team really for his cult hero status.

The Portuguese midfielder has always delivered solid displays when called upon, and to this day does a good job in and around the squad when he is required.

He is not in the first 11 as much as he would like to, but fans still love him, and still sing about him and his magic.

Fans love him so much they even dedicated an away game to him, with thousands of Owls fans donning Semedo masks in one of the most memorable away games of the past few seasons.

MID - Barry Bannan

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The little Scot is a recent addition to the team, but he simply cannot be left out of this team due to his class.

Bannan has been a revelation since joining from Crystal Palace, and has quickly put himself in Owls fans hearts with his overall performances and engine.

Bannan has recently signed a new contract with the club, tying him down to a long term deal with the Owls, and is sure to become a mainstay of the team for years to come.

Bannan can occupy numerous positions across the Owls midfield, and is a no brainer for this team.

MID - Sam Hutchinson

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Hutchinson has been with the club a while and it was a toss up between him and Kieran Lee as to who got the final midfield spot.

Hutchinson gets it though, due to his tenacity and importance to the team at the moment. The team miss him when he doesn't play, and he has also become equally adept at performing in midfield and defence as time has gone on.

Fans love 'Hutch' due to his no nonsense style, and although he is a bit of a walking yellow card, he has yet to be sent off this season despite many people's concerns. Hutchinson is another who recently signed a new deal, another signal that the Owls are a club on the up.

FWD - Chris O'Grady

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The current crop of Owls strikers are all quality, and arguably better than O'Grady, however, he gets in this team due to his importance during the season they won promotion to the Championship.

O'Grady also scored the winning goal against local rivals Sheffield United, in what proved to be Gary Megson's last game in charge, but it is a contribution that has not been forgotten due to its significance in the season as a whole.

O'Grady has since gone on to become a decent Championship striker, with spells at Brighton and Nottingham Forest to note, and will always hold a place in Owls fans hearts, if anything just for that goal in the steel city derby!

FWD - Fernando Forestieri

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It would have been easy to choose any of the current crop of strikers, but Forestieri gets it as he has impressed the most so far, and remains the Owls top scorer.

The diminutive Italian has been consistently excellent for the Owls so far, and is comfortably in double figures for goals already, while he has laid on plenty of assists.

If the Owls are to win promotion, they will need the former Watford man playing to his full potential and form.

His link up play with fellow striker Gary Hooper could be key in any success the Owls have, and manager Carlos Carvalhal will be hoping he can continue to get the best from his star man.

Owls fans, what do you think? Agree? Who else would you choose in this 11? Anyone on sentiment? All of the current 11? Let us know in the comments  below!