Aggressive tactics: Switch in emphasis pays dividends as Sheffield Wednesday storm back in style to cement play-off place

Last season’s play-off finalists have produced some woeful first-half displays at Hillsborough this season, despite winning 12 out of 16 home games.

But, on Saturday, Wednesday were ordered to be more aggressive in style from the first whistle, and were rewarded with a 5-1 thrashing of fellow play-off hopefuls Norwich City.

Victory saw the sixth-placed Owls move to within four points of third-placed Huddersfield Town, and 10 behind Brighton, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot, with 11 games remaining.

“I think we changed the way we played at home today,” said Scottish international Bannan. “We set off from the start to close people down and not let people come here and enjoy themselves and I think that’s the way forward at home.

“I think it shows to go out and press the best teams in the league.

“We had a talk in the week about why at home we’ve not really had the crowd behind us as much as at away games. I don’t know what it is, maybe the gaffer’s spotted it and said we need to press and get the crowd on our side from the off.

“That just shows that if you get the crowd behind you then this can be a tough place to come.”

Ross Wallace and Fernando Forestieri hit spectacular long-range goals, and headers from Jordan Rhodes (2) and Morgan Fox secured an impressive win.

That made it three in seven for Rhodes after his January move from Middlesbrough.

“That’s typical Jordan, look at his goals in his career so far there’s been a lot of them like that and if he gets the service and you put the balls in the box he’ll get on the end of most of them,” said Bannan.

“He was brilliant, not just for scoring goals but his all-round performance, along with Sam (Winnall). Sam didn’t score any goals but the shift he put in and the way he helped the team was brilliant.”

Match report: Page 4