Alex Miller: Why Barry Bannan deserves a world of respect for his efforts this season

Somehow, somewhere along the line of Sheffield Wednesday’s season of two distinct halves, Barry Bannan has become one of the many players to polarise opinion among supporters.
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And as interview soundbites making their way down from Scotland were in his mind misinterpreted by some, a debate rustled its way through social media – how much is the 30-year-old now worth to Wednesday?

A glance at Twitter to gauge a fanbase’s thinking is a path best navigated lightly, but in these unique times its more or less all we have and one major, overbearing factor in the debate was seldom considered; that Barry Bannan has been injured since Christmas.

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While Steven Fletcher’s knee knock at Brighton kickstarted a table-tumbling that has left Wednesday marooned in 15th place, a groin injury suffered by Bannan at a similar time was surely just as harmful.

The Owls’ all-action midfielder, who despite playing through the pain barrier has created more chances in the Championship (79) than anyone other than West Brom superstar-in-waiting Matheus Pereira (84), has struggled since the turn of the year.

But instead of taking the chance to duck out of Wednesday’s spiralling season, he’s donned the armband, repeatedly faced up to the media and taken injections to get him through.

“To be honest, since the Leeds game I have had this problem and I couldn't really get about," he told The Star in February.

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“I couldn't get around. I maybe should have came out. I spoke with the gaffer frequently and it was one of those things where I can just about play.

Barry Bannan has battled through injury to take part in the second half of Sheffield Wednesday's season.Barry Bannan has battled through injury to take part in the second half of Sheffield Wednesday's season.
Barry Bannan has battled through injury to take part in the second half of Sheffield Wednesday's season.

“It was getting through the pain and then it goes and then it would come on later on in the game.”

Is Bannan crashing about and dominating matches as he does at his best? No. He averages just over 70 actions per 90 minutes this season, an all-time low in his five campaigns with Wednesday, while he attempts almost 10 passes per 90 (46.3) fewer than his previous lowest effort back in 2016/17 (55.34).

But with few candidates crashing down the door to step into his role Bannan has dragged himself battered and bruised through a difficult period.

It’s an effort not many would have taken on.