Prediction made on Barry Bannan's future at Sheffield Wednesday - "I would not be surprised" to see this one thing happen | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit couldn't praise Barry Bannan enough, and feels he could carry on for a few more years

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Barry Bannan has been one of the best performers in the EFL for over a decade now, and doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon.

This season marks his eleventh in a Sheffield Wednesday shirt, and since 2015, Bannan has played in Championship play-off finals, been relegated to League One, been involved in dramatic third-tier play-off matches, and now is one of the few shining lights in what is a very dark time at Hillsborough.

The Owls are almost doomed to be relegated this season. That is, if their club can survive the year under the reign of Dejphon Chansiri.

But if any Wednesday fan has any hope of remaining in the Championship, it's because of the class that Bannan still oozes at 35. Some players age like a fine wine, and Bannan's play resembles that of a famous French champagne at this point.

The Owls' midfield maestro is currently tied for the most chances created in the Championship this season, and already has a couple of goals in the opening six games.

Patrick McKenna, FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit, knows that the Wednesday family are "lucky" to have him and feels that he could even play to this level until he hits his forties!

Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit praises Barry Bannan's commitment to his club

"What can you say about the living legend that is Barry Bannan that hasn't been said before?" McKenna questioned when asked about the 35-year-old's output.

The Scotsman is having to do it all for a short-handed Wednesday side this season, following the departure of a plethora of key players who walked away from their contracts over the summer, but he's standing up to the task impeccably.

"He's created 14 chances and scored two fantastic goals — more than Sheffield United have all season," McKenna joked.

"It doesn't seem like he's ever going to let up. You watch him play, and he's so energetic to the point where you swear at times that there are two of him on the pitch.

"He seems to be everywhere with abundant energy, looking to grab hold of games and dictate things with absolutely superb technical skill."

Bannan has played over 3,400 league minutes and 40 league games in eight of his ten completed campaigns at the club. Despite his age and the physically demanding role he takes on the pitch, the 35-year-old doesn't seem to be slowing down and is almost immune to long-term injury.

Last season, there was a small, two-week lay-off for the Wednesday captain, and McKenna admits he felt that he'd need to change his play-style for this season, especially given how important he'd end up being for the side — more than he already was!

"Indeed, when he picked up an injury last season, I did fear that he'd have to scale things back, and I thought maybe he wouldn't have much longer left in his career," he said.

"But this season, he's bounced back like a whole new man, and he's really stepped up to the difficult challenges we're facing.

"We're so lucky to have a player like him at the club and to have him during these difficult years. Plus, he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of slowing down or retiring."

Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit gives his opinion on how long Barry Bannan can play for

With the way things are going, Bannan seems to be one of those players who you'd imagine playing for the rest of time, and McKenna agrees.

"It's hard to say," he said in response to the question, "but if there is a Barry Bannan playing at 40 in the Championship, not acting his age and showing abundant energy and technical expertise, I would not be surprised.

"There are definitely a few more seasons left for Bannan, and luckily for us Wednesday fans, he seems determined to see out his career at Hillsborough."

Indeed, Bannan is very happy where he is at the moment, and despite the uncertainty surrounding many players at the club, there was no doubt that the 35-year-old was going to remain at Hillsborough, having turned up for pre-season training despite not being under contract with Wednesday at the time.

Wednesday fans won't want to see the back of Bannan, but given his age, there will be a time when the Owls will have to bid farewell to someone who has become a cult hero at the club.

"Yes, there needs to be a succession play for Bannan, as despite him trying to defy the odds, he can't go on forever," McKenna concluded.