Barry Bannan's possible Sheffield Wednesday return is not a straightforward decision - fans are torn
Barry Bannan spent 10 years at Sheffield Wednesday before leaving in January
If any Sheffield Wednesday fans needed convincing about whether or not they should re-sign Barry Bannan, the first leg of Millwall’s Championship play-off semi-final against Hull City should have provided all the answers.
He came on with 15 minutes remaining and was the best player on the pitch. In a tight contest with few chances, he started to make things happen. The pundits were purring about him. His performance led to calls for him to start the second leg on Monday night but he was once again on the bench. People will make the point that when he did eventually come on it was 0-0 and Millwall ended up losing 2-0 but they are nitpicking.
So, what are the reasons for bringing him back if a deal can be done? He would be the best player in League One. He has won promotion from that division before. He would provide some much-needed experience if Wednesday go down the young and hungry recruitment route. He can handle the expectation and pressure. The new owners could lean on him for advice. It could naturally lead into a coaching role at the club.
And why not swoop for a return? Financially it would need to work. They should not skew their budget. It could be argued that Wednesday need to move on and that chapter is closed. He is 36 and younger players need to come in so they can be developed into saleable assets. What if Bannan wants to play every week? Can Wednesday guarantee him that? Should they guarantee him that?
Looking at views online, more fans appear in favour of bringing him back than not. Opinions range from ‘heart says yes, head says no,’ to ‘no-brainer’ to ‘he’s had his time.’ Some have no problem with him leaving last January and totally understand why, while others saw it as him ‘jumping ship’ when Wednesday really needed him. A reasonably large section of the fanbase seem to like the idea of him coming back as a player/coach. Others know he has quality and would dominate games but some are willing to give that up to give youth a chance. People are torn on the idea.
Bannan was the club’s best player for the last 10 years which was a massive credit to him, but he really shouldn’t have been, if that makes sense? Do Wednesday have a problem with constantly looking at the past? Should they be more ruthless rather than base decisions on sentiment? But what a romantic, glorious return, ending in promotion?
It is debate which will rumble on and one which will pull at the heartstrings of Wednesdayites until an outcome is reached. For a man who played for the club for a decade, making almost 500 appearances and providing so many special memories, it is not as straightforward decision as you might have thought for some people.