Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan reveals changing room bet as Owls eye late top-two charge

Team spirit is a key component of any successful team.

And Sheffield Wednesday have it in abundance going into the business end of the 2021/22 season.

Players are pushing each other on to maintain the high standards they have set for themselves. Promotion back to the Championship is the aim of the game.

With Barry Bannan in the form of his life, anything feels possible.

No player has completed more passes (1368) in League One than the Owls' midfield playmaker. Wednesday are reaping the benefits of boss Darren Moore utilising Bannan in a more advanced position.

His double in the 5-2 Burton Albion romp took Bannan's goal tally to seven for the season - his best figures since moving to Hillsborough seven years ago.

The skipper has also weighed in with eight assists.

“I’ve been here a long time," said Bannan. "This club is part of my family now. My daughter, my future wife, they’ve taken the club into their hearts as well.

“When I signed here I was looking for a home, really. I’d never had one at Palace or Villa, and I’d been out on loan.

“I don’t know what it was, but as soon as I came here it felt like home, and the fans took to me. Ever since then I’ve not turned back, and the bond I’ve got with this club is the best that I’ve had in my career.”

As things stand, Bannan is on course to win a little wager he made with his Owls team-mate Callum Paterson. So far Bannan has scored two more goals than his Scottish compatriot.

He said: “I had a bet with Callum Paterson at the start of the season that I’d score more than him so I’m winning that at the minute!

"I want to hit double figures and when I hit that we’ll see from there.

"We’ve got goals and assists so I’m a little bit ahead of him, and hopefully it stays that