Sheffield Wednesday: Fans react to Barry Bannan’s Pep Guardiola claims

Plenty of Sheffield Wednesday fans have reacted to recent comments made by Barry Bannan on his encounter with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

The Scotland international was part of the losing side as Wednesday were beaten by Premier League champions City in the FA Cup at Hillsborough last month.

Featuring from the start, Bannan was unable to help his team get past City, who relied on a second half strike from Argentine forward Sergio Aguero to seal the win.

Despite the Owls’ exit, Bannan did perform well and the former Aston Villa youngster has now revealed that his performance gained praise from Guardiola.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Bannan said: “It was amazing to hear Pep say that about me. Even though I’m 30, you look at people like him as if you’re a wee boy again.

“I was how I felt when I started out playing. When I think of Pep and the players he’s had, it brings back the feeling I had when I was 18. I was star struck.

“He actually stopped me as I was walking to the players’ lounge and spoke to me personally. He shook my hand and said: ‘Well done, you’re a fantastic footballer. That was huge for me, coming from the best manager in the world.

“For him to say what he did was  massive. He didn’t have to do it, he’s the manager of Manchester City. But it made me feel 10 feet tall and it gave me a massive confidence boost.

“My phone never stopped that night after the game. The pass itself was just pure instinct, in the moment. Loads of people have asked me what I was  thinking but I can’t answer them, I don’t know how to.

“It’s just a reaction to how things change in front of you. I never planned it, it just came to me as the ball broke.”

Bannan has played for Wednesday now for the past five seasons after spells with Aston Villa, Blackpool, Derby County, Leeds United and Crystal Palace.

Responding to Bannan’s comments via journalist Dom Howson’s twitter account, fans gave their opinion on the midfielder’s claims.

“Pep (Guardiola) actually stopped me as I was walking to the players’ lounge and spoke to me personally.

“He shook my hand and said: ‘Well done, you’re a fantastic footballer’.” #SWFC @LiveSwfc https://t.co/JEpRQUheJG

— Dom Howson (@domhowson) April 13, 2020

He also said to keep your position as attacking and in the middle because dropping into the back line creates a void in the middle and therefore puts pressure on the team as it takes a defensive role reducing the opportunity to score

— Steve Fisher (@stevefoshfisher) April 13, 2020