Sheffield Wednesday: New-deal Bannan targets top-flight push

After several weeks of talks, the Scot finally committed his long-term future to the Owls yesterday.

Bannan has produced a string of outstanding performances since arriving on a free transfer from Crystal Palace last August. He admits the fans played a vital role in persuading him to prolong his Wednesday stay.

“When you feel loved and hear the fans chanting your name, it would be silly to go anywhere else,” he told The Star. “They have been brilliant since I came here.

“When they are out there singing your name, it gives you that extra buzz. You feel like you can’t do anything wrong and gives you so much confidence.

“They have played a big, big part in me extending my stay so I would like to thank them for their backing.”

The former Aston Villa trainee said the deal “dragged on a bit longer” than he anticipated but is relieved that it has been finalised.

“It has been a long, long time since we started speaking about it so I’m happy we have got it sorted,” said Bannan. “Now I’m looking forward to concentrating on my football.

“If the team keep playing the way we are doing at the minute, I’m pretty confident we can be in the play-offs at the end of the season.

“It would be brilliant if we went up. Everybody in the changing room wants to be playing Premier League football next season but it’s not easy.

“We have done a great job so far but there is still a long way to go.

“We have to stay focused and keep producing the performances that we are doing at the moment.”