Sheffield Wednesday v Stockport County: Henrik Pedersen pitches in on Barry Bannan debate

For the pragmatists, who are growing in number, there remains food for thought.

Events like last Saturday’s home stalemate against Wigan Athletic have sharpened the Bannan debate into focus once more.

The truth, unpalatable though it may seem to some, is that the talismanic midfielder – ‘wee Scottish man, better than Zidane’ and all that – is human these days.

Wigan – managed by someone whom Bannan knows well in Gary Caldwell – did a number on him seven days ago by marking him out of the game and negating his powers.

It inspired conjecture regarding how Wednesday will use Bannan, who turns 37 on December 1, going forward.

Several factors – three-game weeks, type of opponents for instance – will come into it, for sure. And one day, Bannan will not be directing operations for good.

“There will come one day, for sure, where it will happen for all the players,” manager Henrik Pedersen mused.

“But right now Barry has been strong for us and he's a very important player for us.

“And then (after) he will be a part of the rotation, like the six loan players (five are only allowed on a matchday). But for the rest of the squad, there will also be a rotation.

“We have spoken about it before when teams are going very close to Barry. This is something we have to be better at.

“This is something we also have worked on this week, but I don't think it will be something we will have a big challenge with (this weekend). But now we have had a team who did it so clear and then we got some experience with this, that I'm sure we will have a good solution for this next time we play against the same (type of opponent).”

The numbers of Stockport, a team who possess another classy midfield conductor in Oli Norwood, of course, suggest that adopting stymieing tactics won’t come into the equation.

Despite the summer departure of Dave Challinor. County remain a potent force at League One level.

They are the top-scorers in the third tier and have already triumphed on the road at Plymouth Argyle and Wigan, scoring a combined total of seven goals.

Jim McNulty’s side have also hit five goals at home against Wycombe Wanderers.

Last time out at Edgeley Park, they may have lost to Leicester City, but played on their terms and had a good go, before being edged out 4-3. As well as being prolific scorers, they also concede a few.

They visit Hillsborough for the first time in a league fixture today since April 2005.

Another huge 30,000-plus crowd will be present for a meeting which looks mouth-watering on paper; a proper footballing test of the pacesetting Owls' credentials.

As for what he expects, Pedersen commented: “First, big respect for Jim, with what he has done first in Rochdale and since taking over at Stockport.

“Stockport has had a great development over the last few years and how he has made the next step for this team is impressive.

“Stockport have more identities and more ‘jackets’ (now).

“It's a team that can press high, is strong, and can also be very compact, giving away few chances. And then they are a strong transition team.

“It's (also) a team that can play very, very direct. But it is also a team who really like to have the ball. I don't expect that they come with only one identity to us.

“It is an amazing test against Stockport. Through the last four or five years, they have built up a strong culture and style of play. And now they are making the next step with this style of play.”

In his engagements with the media, Pedersen is a thoughtful interviewee, but often circumspect in what he says.

His opinions are usually considered rather than strong.

Regarding this autumn's elongated international break, he is more forceful. And he definitely isn't a fan.

International call-ups mean that Wednesday, after the final whistle today, will be inactive at league level until October 10 when they have a derby date at Huddersfield Town.

Pedersen observed: “I think it's way too long. I think it's not the right thing to take three weeks without (league) games.

“I would much more prefer the normal system (before) and then we get a rhythm again instead of having have a season with so many (early) games and then we don't have games for three weeks. I don't think it's the right way to do it.

“I would personally rather have the normal way to do it, so we don't have so long breaks without games.”