Why Barry Bannan is now Sheffield Wednesday's new captain

There was something of a surprise in Sheffield Wednesday’s line-up when they faced Leicester City in a pre-season friendly at Loughborough University on Saturday.
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Tom Lees was in the starting XI but it wasn’t the central defender who walked out in the match wearing the captain’s armband.

That responsibility fell to Barry Bannan, who Garry Monk revealed afterwards is now the Owls skipper.

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There were many changes in the match – which finished 0-0 – throughout and almost two different teams played a half each but this seemingly permanent call by Monk is one that shows he’s really getting to grips with this squad for the upcoming season.

Sheffield Wednesday midfield man Barry Bannan will now captain the side for the season ahead. Steve Ellis/SWFCSheffield Wednesday midfield man Barry Bannan will now captain the side for the season ahead. Steve Ellis/SWFC
Sheffield Wednesday midfield man Barry Bannan will now captain the side for the season ahead. Steve Ellis/SWFC

Afterwards, the Owls boss explained the thinking behind the switch, which he said was geared more towards Bannan than anything Lees had done wrong.

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“With Baz (Bannan), I spoke with him and Tom and made the decision where I just feel with Baz that he needs that challenge,” said Monk.

"He's at that stage at Sheffield Wednesday where I want to challenge him and him having the captain's armband is to challenge Barry.

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"We all know how good a player Barry is but for him to go to that next step and push him to another level that captain’s armband is a way of challenging that.”

And according to the manager, Lees – the second longest-serving player in the ranks behind Liam Palmer – was happy to hand over the reins, a position of responsibility he has held since taking over from Glenn Loovens two years ago.

"Tom is fantastic with that and understands that's the best for Barry and the team,” Monk added.

“Tom is a leader anyways whether he's an armband or not he's a true leader with the standards he sets every day and everyone respects him for that so that's going to diminish anything but I think it was more a decision to challenge Baz, which I think can help his game.”