Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk on Barry Bannan's fitness and squad rotation ahead of West Brom battle
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The Owls have looked a different side since the restart and remain unbeaten after two matches but face off against a title-chasing Baggies desperate to get their challenge back on track after going goalless in a sluggish return.
One man who will be keen to continue his bright start will be midfield talisman Barry Bannan, who took the man of the match award for an all-action display in the win at Bristol City on Sunday.
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Hide AdAsked about Bannan’s performance, Wednesday boss Garry Monk said: “Yeah, he was very good.
“Some good switches of play, good moments. We looked very dangerous at set pieces today as well, which was pleasing.”
The little Scot has made 88 passes in total across the two matches, more than any other player, and although his pass completion numbers were down to 73 per cent from his 83 per cent season average, he has been noticeably more positive with the ball, attempting more forward passes in both matches so far than in all but two previous matches in the whole campaign.
Asked about a groin injury that saw him have to take regular injections in the weeks leading into the three-month suspension of football, Monk said: “He’s good. We have to be mindful anyway now of all the players, now we’re going into three-day turnarounds and everyone has got to be ready, everybody is going to play.
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Hide Ad“There’s going to be rotation where we see fit and we’ll be trying to manage the group as best as possible.
“Obviously there were a couple of options that now won’t complete the season, but we were already aware of that and we’ll continue to make the best of what we’ve got. If we continue to show the same attitude and performance levels then we know we can do well.
“We’re looking forward to it [West Brom],” Monk said. “It’s another tough game, it’s another opponent right up there. They’re all tough games for us.”