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Barry Bannan reflects on mood change, how he felt at Millwall and return to Sheffield Wednesday

Barry Bannan reflects on a mood change, how he felt during a six month spell at Millwall and making a return to Sheffield Wednesday.

On the 28th of January, the 36 year old departed Sheffield Wednesday having made 477 appearances with them. Leaving for Millwall on a 18 month contract.

But on the 9th of July, he made the decision to return to Sheffield Wednesday, following their takeover, preparing for life back in League One.

Speaking to Football Heaven, Bannan said: “My moods changed a lot since I’ve been back. leaving was tough. I probably weren’t the same person that I maybe should have been at Millwall.

“But no, coming back here, think everyone that knows me really well would have seen the change in my character as a person.

“When I was here, the support was a big thing, but I think even more so when I left, some of the games I’ve seen were unbelievable.

“I’ve had some good times here in front of big crowds and loud crowds, but I think given the circumstances and how well they got behind the team and supported them home and away was unbelievable really because it would have been easy to save your money.

“The club was relegated and probably stay at home and watch it from home.

“But I think that shows how passionate the fans are at this football club.

“Even in that time when it would be so easy not to go to games they were still turning up.

“You could see it was going around the English Football League, everybody was speaking about this club’s fans.

“It didn’t surprise me because obviously I’ve seen it, but it was special to watch it from afar.”

Interviewer: “They’re the line of club reborn and lot of the stuff they’re advertising with. Does it feel like the club’s been reborn?”

Bannan: “Yeah, there’s been a massive difference since I’ve come back from, if we look back at pre-season last season compared to now.

“Things that are going on at the training ground, just little things that have perked the boys up.

“Obviously the stadium is getting done, m the new kit, new sponsor, just little things like that.

“But mainly the most important thing is on the pitch and I think from last pre-season to this pre-season.

“There’s a massive lift in standard and quality in the changing room.

“I think even through the season last year, think the quality’s gone up from there as well.

“So, yeah, you can definitely see a massive difference for the positive side of things as well.

“We’ve still kept a lot of good lads here who know the club inside out, who are going to be important on and off the pitch because the club needed an identity for a while now and I think these people will be important in having that identity and style of play and knowing what the club’s about and what the fans expect.

“So you need them people to drive that to the new ones.

“So it’s an amazing place to be at the minute and I think for most of it all the lads would say the same.”

Interviewer: “What do you make of the new lads? There’s a blend, know, experienced players, young players. What do you make of them all?”

Bannan: “Yeah, I think the recruitment’s been really good. Obviously I’ve been around for three weeks now.

“There’s quality, there’s young ones, there’s experienced players who know League One, like the back of the hand. So it’s been really impressive to say the least of on the recruitment side.

“We’ve seen previous in my time here when we haven’t got it right and felt the price of it really. So I think at the minute it’s a club that’s looking to do well now but build for the future as well and as a football club you need to do that even if it’s two or three young ones that go and certainly won a league next season.

“We never, in my time here, never sold players. Since the ten years I was here and we probably don’t want to become a selling club but you do have to have younger ones who have value for the club.

“It’s the only way football clubs can run. But like you said, experience as well in Santos and people like that is going to be valuable to help guide these younger ones the right way. So now I’ve been very impressed with the recruitment. No doubt we probably need a bit more and I the club’s working on that so it’s good.”

Barry Bannan speaks after leaving Millwall and returning to Sheffield Wednesday

Here’s how fans reacted as Barry Bannan reflects on a mood change, how he felt at Millwall and making a return to Sheffield Wednesday…

@ci_evo92: Baz does one interview and gets under everyone’s skin 😂 I love it, so many Millwall fans crying 😂

@zamp69wall: Being half hearted wasn’t good enough. We were on a possible promotion run, too.

@charliemfc: No shame in not being good enough for Millwall/Championship. Glad he’s back in his comfort zone and at an easier level.

@OwlsReborn: What’s with all the salty Millwall fans? The move didn’t work for him and in your opinions, you don’t think it was a fit for you either. Move on graciously. It happens.

@Tommyswfc: Why are we completely ignoring the fact he forced a move away

@WednesdayRob: Because he didn’t. At the time he left the preferred bidder had made no attempt to speak with Barry or the manager. They were looking to go for a very young squad and Barry didn’t appear to be part of their plans.

@tommyuto: Pretty sure Bord wanted him out for his age and the funds from Bannan’s move helped save the club. This narrative is so odd.

@grayso72: Remember the situation, he signed for 7k a week, the people that looked like they were coming in didn’t have a coherent plan, what do you want him to do? He was offered 18 months contract, we couldn’t match. He has to look after his family. Once he left the bid collapsed

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