Darren Moore explains first-half Barry Bannan substitution in Sheffield Wednesday's defeat at Reading
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The former Doncaster manager, now two games into his reign at Hillsborough, was forced into action when centre-half Julian Borner was shown a red card for his clumsy handling of George Puscas. To cause further issues, the home side scored the subsequent penalty.
With left-back Matt Penney stripped and ready to come on, eyebrows were raised when it was Bannan’s number that was raised by the fourth official. The Scot looked dejected as he trudged off the Madejski field.
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Hide AdWednesday went on to lose the game 3-0 and asked to show his working on the substitution, Moore said it came down to a tactical decision and that he was close to making attacking changes before the Royals’ game-killing second goal.
“The thinking was to keep Paterson down the middle,” he said. “Shawsy and Hutch inside and the two boys out wide keeping that pace.
“We knew we had to keep two banks of four because we knew they had a numerical advantage. We had to build from the back with Pats as the target man to go to.
“That was the basis, we were a goal down and had to stay in the game, which we did for a long enough period. In terms of the game plan we were five or six minutes away from bringing on one or two more attacking players to throw a threat.”
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Hide AdMoore said he’d spoken to his captain and that the midfielder is well aware of the reasons behind the decision.
“He understands. He’s obviously disappointed to lose a player. It disrupts the game plan and it’s a difficult one to do. But you understand sometimes you face adversity and make a decision.
“As it wore on we wanted to introduce some pace into the game, but they got the second goal and the game got away from us.
“Barry understands and in the remainder of the games he’s got a huge role to play for us. We need to regroup again and get ready for net week.”