Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan has expressed his confidence that the team will be ready to face Leicester City in their opening match of the Championship season this Sunday. Despite a tumultuous off-season marked by financial instability and managerial changes, Bannan remains optimistic about the team's ability to compete.

Off-Season Challenges

The Owls have faced significant challenges in the lead-up to the new season. Players and staff experienced delayed wages in May, June, and July, and the club has been under a registration embargo. Additionally, the North Stand at Hillsborough Stadium was closed due to structural concerns, and manager Danny Rohl departed the club.

The EFL has also raised doubts about Sheffield Wednesday's ability to fulfil its fixtures. A behind-closed-doors training match with Burnley was cancelled after players refused to participate, further adding to the uncertainty.

Bannan's Perspective

When questioned about the possibility of players going on strike and refusing to play against Leicester, Bannan stated, "No, I don't think so." He explained that the decision to withdraw from the Burnley game was due to the ongoing issues, but emphasized that a Championship fixture is a different matter.

"We pulled out of the Burnley game at the weekend, that was simply because it's happened too much now," Bannan told Talksport. "I think it's a lot easier to pull out of a pre-season friendly game than it is a Championship fixture. We've come into training and just got on with it and made it look to the outside world like we're fine with it, so that was our choice then to say 'enough's enough' really."

Contract Renewal and Team Morale

Despite the club's financial struggles, Bannan recently signed a new contract, demonstrating his commitment to Sheffield Wednesday. The 35-year-old, who has made 447 appearances for the Owls over 10 seasons, revealed that he turned down interest from other clubs to stay at Hillsborough.

Currently, Sheffield Wednesday has only 15 first-team squad members, and the club has missed payments to HMRC while facing rising debts. The match against Leicester will be televised, and the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust plans to protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri during the game.

Looking Ahead

As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Sheffield Wednesday to see how they navigate their off-field challenges and perform on the pitch. Bannan's leadership and determination will be crucial as the team aims to overcome adversity and make a strong start to the Championship campaign.