Bannan has been Sheffield Wednesday’s standout performer this season.
Jos Luhukay has told BBC Sport that Sheffield Wednesday missed Barry Bannan during certain parts of Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Wednesday looked to be coping well without the midfielder – who was serving a one-game suspension after being booked for the fifth time this season against Leeds United on Friday – and entered the game’s final five minutes two goals ahead.
But quickfire strikes from Joey Pelupessy – who diverted a Chris Brunt cross beyond his own goalkeeper – and Harvey Barnes salvaged a point for West Brom, after the Owls had failed to kill off their opponents.
And this is one area in which Bannan could have made a difference according to Luhukay.
“I think he can give us, in the right moments, the calmness on the ball to enable the transition to the offensive half,” said the Sheffield Wednesday manager. “The second half we were not as good in West Brom’s half as the first half so I think in that moment, Barry could have helped.”
Nevertheless, Luhukay was pleased with his team’s overall performance in Bannan’s absence.
“The team took responsibility,” he added. “When I think back on the first half it was really good and in the second half, apart from our defending. But only the two moments when we conceded the two goals did we lack the consistency that we need.”
Bannan was replaced by Josh Onomah in the Sheffield Wednesday starting XI, and the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder’s withdrawal after a knock appeared to catalyse the West Brom fightback.
How should Sheffield Wednesday line up with Bannan back on Sunday?
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