Barry Bannan hails Sheffield Wednesday tactical tweak and praises duo after Huddersfield comeback
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan was the subject of a tactical switch at half-time against Huddersfield Town.
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan has said a half-time tactical tweak and the introductions of Jaden Heskey and Davis Keillor-Dunn were key to Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town at the Accu Stadium.
After an underwhelming first-half performance that saw Wednesday fail to register a single shot, it was hoped they would step things up after the break. However, Huddersfield took the lead less than a minute after the restart when Joe Taylor pounced on a Wednesday defensive error.
The Terriers doubled their advantage just over 20 minutes later Derensili Sanches Fernandes beat Joe Lumley at his near post with an excellent finish, meaning it looked as though Wednesday would be condemned to their first away defeat of the season.
However, Wednesday were given a lifeline when Terriers defender Ibane Bowat headed substitute Heskey’s cross into his own net, before Henrik Pedersen’s troops were given a penalty deep into added time after Marcus Harness was guilty of catching Liam Cooper with a high foot.
Jamal Lowe stepped up from 12 yards and made no mistake to earn Wednesday a share of the spoils and ensure they preserved their unbeaten away record.
Reflecting on the unlikely comeback, Bannan felt a half-time tactical tweak, which saw him operate slightly deeper, was key to Wednesday’s improved second half performance. He also praised the impact of the substitutes introduced by Pedersen.
Bannan told Wednesday’s YouTube channel: “I think the system changed a little bit. We had one No.6 in the first half in build up. I think in the second half, I came a bit deeper from playing higher up.
“I dropped a bit deeper next to Billy, and we kind of got a bit more control of the game and got a bit more control in possession. We looked better for it. So, there was a lot of tweaks and the subs came on.
“Jaden and Mason [Burstow]. Keillor-Dunn was brilliant. So, I think that helped us a lot, with Keillor-Dunn and Jaden coming on as well. I thought the subs impacted the game really well.”