Barry Bannan was one of many players who underperformed as Sheffield Wednesday suffered a 5-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Garry Monk was the one being blamed for the 30-year-old’s showing, however, as he was operating in an unfamiliar holding role that stifled his qualities.
There weren’t many Wednesday players who came away with credit after Saturday’s heavy defeat, but Bannan really struggled to make an impact. The 30-year-old is normally the Owls’ chief creator who can also break up the play in midfield, but he was anonymous for a lot of the game.
He can't tackle and plays to deep away. Ended up at centre half most of time in first half
— Will (@willorwillnot88) January 18, 2020
Game after game, everyone shouts @bazzabannan25 is playing to deep. Today, he was at times between our CB’s, waste of talent.
— keiron wilcock (@keiron1972) January 18, 2020
Still trying to work out how Monk sees Bannan as a CDM #SWFC pic.twitter.com/0lrScdebbL
— JB 🦉 (@JB_Swfc) January 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/yana1867/status/1218887228769951744?s=20
https://twitter.com/STR19911/status/1218577686215512068?s=20
One thing I don’t get from today is why we played Bannan as a holding midfielder when everything we do goes through him.
It just invites the opposition onto us and we had no outlet.
We looked clueless and heartless.
Shocking day at the office.#swfc— 🦉 Andy Stevenson 🦉 (@AndyStevenson20) January 18, 2020
Against Blackburn, Bannan played for 90 minutes, made 46 touches, completed 76.9% of his 39 passes, whipped in five crosses without finding a teammate and gave away one foul. The Scotland international failed to create a chance, make a tackle, completed a dribble or make an interception.
Bannan has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring and creating eight goals. He’s been a regular under Garry Monk but has been part of Wednesday’s worst run of the campaign – four defeats from their last five league games.
He’ll no doubt hope to turn things around against Queens Park Rangers (FA Cup) on Friday, but Monk will have to allow him creative freedom.
