New Sheffield Wednesday skipper raring to go as competitive action returns for Barry Bannan & Co.
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Bannan played the first 45 minutes of the Owls’ preseason friendly against Leicester City over the weekend, with eyebrows being raised regarding the armband before it was confirmed after that game that he had taken on the role of SWFC skipper.
The midfield maestro has been a key cog in the Wednesday machine for many years now, and he’ll now be hoping to take things to the next level as he assumes new responsibility for the campaign ahead under Garry Monk.
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Hide AdWednesday had been given some time off after their trip to Loughborough, but preparations are now very much underway as they get themselves ready for their Carabao Cup opener against Walsall, and 30-year-old Bannan admits he’s happy to have preseason done and dusted.
Speaking to the club over the weekend, the new club captain said, “It’s been a great week, it’s nice to get away from the training ground and see different things. And I think for the team spirit when you’re staying in each other’s company for six or seven days or whatever it’s been, it gets that team bond stronger and you can have a laugh and a joke as well.
“We’re delighted that it’s come around so quick… Preseasons get harder and harder as you get older, so I’m delighted that we’ve got past that. Now we’re looking forward to the season starting and playing games and getting into the real stuff.”
Availability permitting, Bannan could join an exclusive club of players to have made 250 appearances for the Owls come the end of the 2020/21 campaign, but he’s already given the club more than value for money after joining five years ago this week on a free transfer from Crystal Palace.
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Hide AdWednesday face Walsall at 2.15pm on Saturday as they look to get off to a winning start against their League Two opponents.