‘It’s mental’ – Barry Bannan makes damning admission amid ‘crazy’ Sheffield Wednesday saga
Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan and his Owls colleagues have been handed another kick in the teeth by owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Amid the growing threat of administration, Chansiri has missed further payment deadlines as the South Yorkshire club continue to battle for Championship survival in trying circumstances.
Despite their financial struggles, the Hillsborough club earned their first win of the second-tier campaign by beating Portsmouth 2-0 on Saturday, 20 September.
Meanwhile, Chansiri is showing no signs that he wants to sell Sheffield Wednesday, even though an unwanted return to League One appears increasingly likely.
Barry Bannan opens up on increasingly challenging situation at Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls endured a tough summer transfer window, with former star players such as Josh Windass leaving Hillsborough.
Former boss Danny Rohl also left Sheffield Wednesday, leaving his assistant Henrik Pedersen in charge of a heavily diminished squad.
But when asked by Alan Brazil if he had any meetings planned with Chansiri live on talkSPORT on Thursday, captain Barry Bannan revealed: “Through the summer and pre-season, I’ve been asking questions and it’s got to the point, really, where I’ve had to stop asking questions because I’m not getting anywhere.
“I’m just concentrating on the football and trying to get the lads together and happy, and the manager, at the minute is obviously doing a great job.
“It’s crazy. I remember speaking to one of my mates yesterday. You should never ever be getting to payday as a Championship player and (be) wondering if you’re going to get paid or not.
“It’s mental. It’s got to the point where it’s that big now that it’s between the EFL and even the government.”
Henrik Pedersen needs a turnaround in home form
While Sheffield Wednesday have been hit with transfer embargoes by the EFL, football has unfortunately become a secondary matter for the South Yorkshire side.
| Sheffield Wednesday results | Championship 2025/26 |
| Swansea (H) | 0-2 L |
| Bristol City (H) | 0-3 L |
| Portsmouth (A) | 0-2 W |
However, a win over Queens Park Rangers at Hillsborough on Saturday, 27 September, could see Pedersen’s men climb out of the relegation zone.
Achieving victory over Julien Stephan’s side is easier said than done, though, as the West London outfit have enjoyed three successive wins in the Championship.
But if Wednesday are to stand any chance of obtaining an unlikely survival, they have to rectify the fact that they have failed to earn a single point on home soil.
Achieving victories at Hillsborough has become difficult for the Owls amid a backdrop of discontent and protests from supporters.
Meanwhile, after facing QPR on 27 September, Sheffield Wednesday face successive fixtures against promotion candidates Birmingham City and Coventry City.
Beating such difficult opponents would be a tricky task in any circumstances, let alone within the financial uncertainty the Owls find themselves in.