Sheffield Wednesday: Owls must start beating promotion rivals, says Bannan

Barry Bannan admits Sheffield Wednesday's results against the Championship's big guns could hold the key to them securing a play-off spot.
Barry BannanBarry Bannan
Barry Bannan

Tuesday’s draw at home to Burnley means Carlos Carvalhal’s men are still searching for a first win over a top-six side.

The Owls are level on points with Ipswich Town, who occupy the final play-off place, but have picked up a meagre four points out of a possible 24 on offer against the teams above them in the table.

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Midfield playmaker Bannan told The Star: “It (beating the top teams) could make the difference to us getting in the top six.

“They are good teams first and foremost so they are always going to be close games.

“When we’ve played against teams in and around us, we have been comfortable and could have won them on another day. It has just not happened.”

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Bannan reckons Wednesday can take heart from their performance against Burnley as they prepare to travel to Birmingham City, who are directly below them in the standings.

The Scotland international, who has been one of the Owls’ stand-out performers this campaign, insisted: “We are still in a good position.

“We got a point against Burnley and that’s not to be laughed at as they are a top, top team. We controlled the game and could have won it on another day. We have not lost at home against which is a positive

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“We will go to Birmingham with confidence and hopefully we can get the three points.

“We won’t look too far ahead and will take each game as it comes.”

Carvalhal, meanwhile, has outlined his reasons for allowing Sergiu Bus to leave on loan. The Romanian striker’s temporary switch to Italian side US Salernitana was finalised on Tuesday. Bus, who has only made three substitute appearances this season, will remain wth Salernitana until the end of the campaign.

The 23-year-old has racked up just 10 Owls appearances, hitting one goal, since arriving for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £375,000, from CSKA Sofia a year ago.

Carvalhal said: “Sergiu is a good guy and player.

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“At his age, he needs to play and he has some wishes to play for the national team at the Euros. To achieve that, he must play.

“I hope he scores a lot of goals and can comeback next season more strong.”