'I don't think' - Claim made on Barry Bannan's future as a Sheffield Wednesday player | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has revealed whether he believes midfielder Barry Bannan should be given a new contract next season.

Despite a major summer rebuild, it has been a strong start to life back in League One for Sheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday were relegated from the Championship last season and spent over six months in administration following a nightmare end to former owner Dejphon Chansiri's reign, but a new era is underway at Hillsborough after David Storch's Arise Capital Partners consortium completed their takeover of the club in May.

Barry Bannan makes emotional Sheffield Wednesday return after David Storch takeover

Action Images

Wednesday brought in no fewer than 18 signings this summer, and there were three familiar faces among those arrivals, with Joe Lumley, Reece James and, most notably, Barry Bannan returning to Hillsborough for a second spell.

After joining on a free transfer from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2015, Bannan scored 37 goals and provided 75 assists in 477 appearances for the Owls during his first stint, which spanned almost 10-and-a-half years.

Despite frequently stating his desire to remain with Wednesday for the rest of his career, Bannan departed for Millwall in the January transfer window, with the 36-year-old believed to have had reservations over the proposed takeover by James Bord, who was the preferred bidder for the club at the time.

Bannan helped the Lions to a third-placed finish in the Championship last season before his side were beaten by Hull City in their play-off semi-final, but, after less than six months at The Den, he reunited with the Owls in July as he put pen to paper on a one-year contract.

While Wednesday are among the early front-runners in League One, it has been a quiet start to the campaign for Bannan on an individual level, with the Scot failing to get on the scoresheet and providing just two assists in nine appearances in all competitions so far this season.

Sheffield Wednesday fan verdict issued on potential Barry Bannan contract extension

Action Images

When asked if Bannan's contract should be extended beyond the summer, FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna insisted he would be keen for the midfielder to remain at Hillsborough, but he admitted that he does not expect sentiment to influence the decision on his future.

"Despite the fact I have so much love for Barry Bannan, and he is an absolute Wednesday legend, I don't think you can let sentiment make decisions like these," Patrick told FLW.

"I don't think that the club will.

"I want Bannan to stay, but that is clouded by a personal bias, no doubt.

"I would always be one to defend him against criticism, so ideally I would love Bannan to stay on, but he will be another footballing decision.

"I suppose, come the end of the season, he will be in no different position to any other player.

"I think he will be assessed on whether he will be needed as a player.

"At the end of the season, maybe that will be when he finally moves into a coaching role, who knows.

"Personally, I would love him next season."

Barry Bannan's future could depend on one big Sheffield Wednesday factor

Action Images

Bannan has come in for criticism from some Wednesday supporters for his performances since his return, but while he has failed to make much of an impact so far this season, there is no doubt he is one of the best players in League One on his day.

However, after his disappointing spell at Millwall last season, there are question marks over whether Bannan can still deliver at Championship level, so the Owls would have a tough decision to make about his future if they were to achieve promotion.

Given his standing at Hillsborough, it would be little surprise to see Wednesday offer Bannan a coaching role when he hangs up his boots, whether with the first team or academy, but as he prepares to turn 37 in December, it remains to be seen how much longer he will continue his playing career.