“Heeds to be hastened” – Sheffield Wednesday urged to take Barry Bannan action amid contract uncertainty.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more…

Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan is facing an uncertain future at the club, as his contract is set to expire this summer.

Bannan, along with other senior players such as Pol Valentin, Michael Ihiekwe, Marvin Johnson, Stuart Armstrong, Anthony Musaba, Josh Windass, Callum Paterson, and Michael Smith, will be out of contract this summer. Wednesday finished in the top half of the Championship this season.

The 35-year-old joined the Owls on a free transfer from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2015, and it is fair to say he has established himself as a Hillsborough club legend over the last decade.

Bannan’s four goals and six assists in 45 appearances for Wednesday this season demonstrate his quality despite entering the latter stages of his career. He has expressed his desire to stay with the club for the rest of his playing days.

However, with Owls manager Danny Rohl reportedly leaving the club this summer, any decision on Bannan’s future may be delayed until a successor is appointed.

Sheffield Wednesday are urged to plan for life after veteran midfielder Barry Bannan.

When asked if the club can continue to rely on Bannan, FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna insisted that the midfielder could still have many years ahead of him at Hillsborough. However, he urged the Owls to put a succession plan in place for the Scot’s eventual departure.

“The succession plan for Barry Bannan needs to be hastened,” Patrick told the crowd.

“This is because Shea Charles is returning to Southampton, which will be a significant loss to our midfield, and Stuart Armstrong’s contract was only for a short period of time.

“You’re looking at a relatively bare midfield.

“I could go on and on about how fantastic Bannan has been for Sheffield Wednesday, but we can’t continue to rely on him year after year.

“This is something that should have been in place already, where we are bringing in some younger players to relieve pressure on Bannan.

“Bannan has a few more seasons left as a Wednesday player, but the burden of relying on him must be shared.

“I don’t know the exact medical diagnosis, but he was injured at the end of last season, and if that continues into the new season, it may be a further indication that Bannan will no longer be able to play 46 games per season.

“Getting a succession plan for Barry Bannan really has to get underway.”

Sheffield Wednesday must have an uncomfortable Barry Bannan conversation.

Wednesday will be reluctant to consider Bannan’s departure, as he has been the heartbeat of their team for the last decade. His continued high performance means that the club has been able to postpone forming a succession plan.

However, Bannan was carrying an injury near the end of the season, which could be a sign of things to come as he enters his mid-30s, and while he still has a lot to offer at Championship level, there is a chance he will become less effective as his career advances.

Of course, finding a replacement for Bannan will be difficult, but rather than waiting until the midfielder decides to end his Hillsborough career, the club should be proactive and start looking for a possible successor right away.

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