Barry Bannan has been a vital asset for Sheffield Wednesday ever since his arrival back in 2015 and his new manager Tony Pulis clearly feels he will be key this season if he can get him further up the pitch.
Speaking in his press conference before the Owls face Stoke City, Pulis said: “With the ability Barry has got, we want more goals and assists from him. He has got a wand of a left foot, so much ability, so we want him in that final third. We need goals, I want people in this team to believe they can get goals. He’s a really good lad.”
The club picked up their first point under the new boss during the week and are now just five points from safety, so if Bannan can produce the goods the Owls could sneak very close to a position of safety with three points this weekend.
It is very interesting that the manager wants to see him a bit further forward and it seems like this new masterplan is something that a lot of the fan base agree with.
Bannan has only picked up two goals and one assist this campaign (WhoScored), however the fact that he has 1.7 key passes per game from a more central midfield position than an attacking one highlights there is a lot of potential for him to succeed further forward.
Here is how Owls fans reacted following these comments on Bannan:
https://twitter.com/swfc/status/1332260164003635200?s=20
Finally, a manager that’s wants him forward rather than sat in front of the back 3-4. Been wasted for 2 seasons.
— keiron ✍🏼 writing (@keiron1972) November 27, 2020
Been saying this for years but kid still drops in to central deefence before showing Hollywood balls all over place
— Michael Hackney (@hackabusi) November 27, 2020
He’s hit the nail on the head. Bazza has been our best player in recent years but picking the ball up deep in acres is easy. His straight balls over the top don’t reach their target 99% of the time. Pulis wants more from him and I feel he could do more given his ability.
— Andrew J Frisby (@Frizza1) November 27, 2020
At last! Thank the Lord for saying what so many of us have been able to see for so long. Get up that pitch lad
— Stephen Mellor (@sgmellorwriter) November 27, 2020
He’s so much better when he pushes up could see glimpses of this other day 👍
— Dan Kitson (@dankitson2003) November 27, 2020
It’s brilliant to have a manager who is actually competent
— Dan (@DanWalkerDJ) November 27, 2020
In other Sheffield Wednesday news, fans have been reacting following a club update. Have a read what it is here!
