"Worthy" - Sheffield Wednesday urged to make decision on Barry Bannan future | OneFootball

Highlights

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's career at Sheffield Wednesday is set to come to an end in the summer unless a new contract is offered to the veteran Scotsman - with any rumours of a new deal causing huge debates in South Yorkshire.

The diminutive midfielder has spent close to nine seasons at Hillsborough, becoming a fan favourite in that time with his passing, eye for an assist and the occasional long-range strike wowing crowds for a generation in Sheffield. But with the club still embroiled in a Championship relegation battle, there remains question marks over his future, though Football League World's Owls fan pundit believes he should be kept on the books.

Barry Bannan "worthy" of new Sheffield Wednesday contract

Speaking to Football League World, Sheffield Wednesday's fan pundit Callum Maxted urged the club to keep Bannan on the books - despite his lack of pace.

Maxted said: “Bannan’s performances have been as I expected really. He looks like he’s stepped up to the level, and I think he would be worthy of a one-year contract just to see how he goes. He’s changed a bit as a player, he’s probably lost a yard of pace but he keeps himself fit and he’s never injured.

“He still has quality, he can still pass a ball. He’s 34 now but he still has it in him to play at Championship level.”

Barry Bannan's Sheffield Wednesday future

Having been an instrumental part of their League One campaign last time out with seven goals and 12 assists from the centre of the park in just 41 regular season games, Bannan has found that level of output much more difficult in the second-tier this time around.

It's just the one goal and no assists for the Scotsman, coming in an early-season clash against Cardiff in the Welsh capital; and despite starting 27 of Wednesday's 31 league games so far this campaign, the diminutive playmaker has found it tough to strut his stuff in the second-tier.

Of course, the step-up from League One to the Championship is tough, that goes without saying. But at the age of 34 and with Wednesday still occupying a relegation spot despite their strong run of form recently, it may have to be a financial decision that sees the Scotsman depart Hillsborough after what would be nine years of solid service.

Barry Bannan's estimated wage

According to Capology, Bannan earns an estimated £24,000 per week - which totals as £1,250,000 per season. That puts him at the second-highest wage in the side behind fellow midfielder Jeff Hendrick; and if Wednesday are relegated to League One, that's a wage that could well be better off putting into a pool for a future talent.

Capology suggests that Bannan has had the same wage for five seasons, so there is always the possibility of offering Bannan a wage cut if he was to sign on for a season - and should he stay on for another season, he'd be able to undergo his testimonial as a result of spending a decade at the South Yorkshire club. But semantics rarely come into play with finances taking a stronghold in the English game, and a decision would most likely be made at the end of the season.