'Lay off Garry Monk' - Owls star calls on Sheffield Wednesday fans to stop blaming boss for poor performances

Bannan, who scored for the Owls in a much-improved display in drawing 3-3 with Birmingham City on Saturday says responsibility for recent poor performances has to come from the players.

And the Scot says 'everyone is behind' Monk, who Bannan has described as a 'top, top manager'.

Monk has been taking criticism following a desperate run of form which has seen the Owls win just one league match since the turn of the year and drop from third in the Championship to 12th.

However, Bannan is shouldering the blame on behalf of he and his team mates.

"It's not the manager," he said. “I don't know how many managers I have had since I have been here (but) this manager, I will speak on behalf of the team, he's a top, top manager.

"He wants to win. A massive thing for players is your manager wanting to win, he's been there, he's done it.

"That (criticism) needs to stop now, the manager stuff. It's nothing to do with the manager.

"We need to start taking the blame now, because previous managers got it. Some fair some not.

"This manager is a top, top manager. I have worked under a lot of managers and from that changing room there, everyone is behind him.

"Fans are fans, they are going to have their say but for me personally I think he's a very good manager."

Bannan also hailed the character of the side after twice coming from behind to eentually lead, before losing the three points in injury time.

"The gaffer said at half time, the character has been questioned in recent weeks and rightly so because the results haven't been good enough," he added. "I think you could see today everyone was willing to put a shift in for this badge and the club and the fans and that's a big positive to take.

"We left everything out there and on another day we should have won."