FIVE things Sheffield Wednesday fans should ask Santa for this Christmas

Barry Bannan has been a revelation at Hillsborough

A long-term deal for Barry Bannan

The midfielder's signing was certainly seen as a positive in the summer, but few will have realised just how big an impact he would have on Wednesday's revival. More often than not, when Bannan is in the team, the Owls are a much better proposition with his high-tempo, high-energy play and incisive passing. Get the new long-term deal sorted.

Cheaper match tickets

No matter how much it is dressed up, it's simply too expensive to watch Wednesday this season and an average gate of around 20,000 is testimony to that. With plenty of positivity in the air and a team seemingly on the up, there should be more people packing into Hillsborough for home games but many fans are, understandably, being priced out. Knocking even a fiver off could make a difference and help the atmosphere, too.

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A quick recovery for Tom Lees

Tom Lees has been out since picking up an injury in the League Cup against Stoke City

Wednesday have done reasonably well in Lees absence with Sam Hutchinson in particular stepping up in the centre of defence. However, Lees is one of the best and certainly most consistent players in his position in the Championship and, like Bannan, they are a better side when he's in the team. Owls fans will hope that isn't too far off.

An end to going behind

Carlos Carvalhal's side have conceded the first goal in seven of their last eight games. They have shown, as against Wolves on Sunday and away to Cardiff, that they have the ability to fight back and win or at least draw but sometimes, as was the case against MK Dons, Wednesday were left with too much to do. Fans will hope they can start keeping things tighter for longer, instead of chasing the game.

A top six place

Too much to ask? Probably...but there's nothing wrong with having hope at Christmas time. As things stand, Wednesday are contenders for a play off spot and if things carry on as they have done, there are few reasons why they can't be there in April. You never know what can happen after that, but there must be a few fans dreaming of Wembley