Sheffield Wednesday are currently sixth in the Championship and they are constantly under pressure from the chasing pack.

The likes of Derby County, Norwich City, Barnsley, Fulham and others are all floating just below the play-off zone, ready to pounce if the Owls slip up.

Carlos Carvalhal is looking to take his side to the Premier League after narrowly missing out last year.

Wednesday finished in sixth place last season and beat Brighton over two legs in the play-off semi-finals.

However, they came unstuck in the final as Mo Diame's goal was enough to separate Sheffield Wednesday and Hull in a close encounter at Wembley.

They have heavily invested in strengthening the squad since, and they are hoping for promotion back to the Premier League after a lengthy absence from the top flight.

Here are three things which Carvalhal and Sheffield Wednesday must be watchful of, to avoid derailing their season.

The chasing pack

Derby County have recovered from an awful start and look a brand new side under Steve McClaren.

Norwich City seem to have stopped the rot and their talented squad are back on the up.

Both of these sides, plus the other chasers, are eyeing Sheffield Wednesday's spot in the play-off zone so the Owls must keep winning or they will drop out.

Squad imbalance

Sheffield Wednesday grabbed themselves two talented strikers during the January window in Jordan Rhodes and Sam Winnall.

But did they really need them considering that they already have Gary Hooper, Fernando Forestieri, Steven Fletcher and Atdhe Nuhiu as striker options?

Perhaps they'd have been better off getting a new right back because Liam Palmer and Jack Hunt are sub-standard.

Play-off heartbreak (again)

 

The play-offs are a lottery.

If Sheffield Wednesday get to the play-offs, they have to be the best team out of four hopefuls over the course of three games.

It's a tough ask and the fans will be mindful that a repeat of last year is a live possibility.