Wednesday were haunted by six straight defeats in a row in the opening months of last term and Sodje wants that ghost laid to rest as soon as possible.

"The start is key, for the first six games if we win three games we'll be okay. We've just got to make sure we don't struggle this season. The first couple of games we need to win or get a draw - not to lose is our main plan," the 28-year-old insisted.

Wednesday clocked up their third friendly win on Tuesday night, taming 2007-8 League Two champions MK Dons 4-1.

Sodje added: "Hopefully we'll have a great start this season. We've had as good pre-season unlike last year when I think we didn't win a game. We've been to Holland, everybody is looking sharp and good. The manager just wants everybody to be fit and we're just looking forward to the first game."

Wednesday's season kicks off a week on Saturday at home to Burnley. Three days later Rotherham United play at Hillsborough in the Carling Cup.

The first away game is on Saturday August 16 at Wolves.

By then the Hillsborough ownership issue could be resolved.

Sodje insisted that a bid to takeover the club was no distraction to playing staff.

"I don't know anything about the take-over talks, all the players are worried about is getting fit and ready for the season. We leave the rest to the team upstairs," he said. "The main thing is to try and beat what I did last season. I got seven last season and I hope to go past that."

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