Barry Bannan's dip in form is no concern for Sheffield Wednesday boss

Barry Bannan: Midfielder has been tipped to rediscover his playmaking potential.

The 27-year-old Scottish midfielder has dipped below his usual standards in recent games, despite the Owls winning their last three successive games.

But, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Nottingham Forest, Carvalhal has no doubts over Bannan’s ability.

“The last two performances have not been Barry’s best and I have talked to him,” said Carvalhal. “He’s a player who all the time thinks in the correct way.

“He did some very good things in the last game, with some poor things.

“He’s not a player I’m worried about. I know him very well. He’s a fighter and these kind of fighters discover the way very soon.

“I have good expectations that we will see the best of Barry Bannan again on Saturday. He’s not a player I’m worried about. Not all the people can do 100 per cent all the time.

“When a player like Barry tries and fights a lot, I appreciate these kind of players and I know these kind of characters can change things in the mind very, very fast. I have good expectations that he will change everything in the mind on Saturday because he’s a fantastic footballer.

“He’s a team player. Even if he doesn’t perform well, he still gives the maximum.”

Wednesday have injury doubts over midfielder Sam Hutchinson and left-back Morgan Fox, following Tuesday’s unconvincing 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Midfielder Ross Wallace believes the Owls’ style of play, where they like to press the ball high up the pitch, is better suited playing away from Hillsborough.

“We are suited playing away from home,” he said. “It suits more our style.

“We want to be more on the front foot when we are at home but we couldn’t get the press on against Blackburn and get up the pitch and that put us on the back foot.

“I think we are doing a bit better away from home but obviously we want to improve. But the fans were brilliant against Blackburn. They really got behind us even though we weren’t really at it.

“We are not happy with how we played against Blackburn. We had a few leggy players out there but we can’t use that as an excuse.”