Shortly after the full time whistle on Monday night, Owls captain Barry Bannan – though gutted with the result – took the time to try and sum up our ultimately unsuccessful play-off bid.
Wednesday and Sunderland battled out a close-fought semi-final over two legs but the Owls fell just short at Hillsborough in agonising fashion.
Never one to shy away from duties on or off the field, the skipper offered his thoughts on the game and gave special mention to the Wednesdayites, who created a special atmosphere for the boys.
“It’s hard to take, it’s obviously still so early and I am just gutted really and it’s hard to find the words to sum it up,” Bannan said.
“I’m sure it will sink in over the next few days but it’s hard to take and hard to speak now to tell you how I’m feeling – I’m obviously not feeling great.
“We felt the goal was coming and we spoke about it at half time and we knew if we kept doing what we were doing we would score by getting into dangerous positions.
“We get the goal and the fans, I looked around after the goal and it was amazing, so to let them down was hard to take but they were unbelievable and they didn’t deserve it.
“They deserve to be going to Wembley and having a good day out and to be back in the Championship.
“Fair play to Sunderland, they were good over two legs and did what they needed to do to get into the final. But no matter what is said now, it hurts and will hurt for a while.”
Where do I start last night we come up short but I’m so proud of my team and staff that has been on this journey with me this season we gave our all to the very end keep your heads up 💙 The fans wow best I’ve seen Hillsborough thanks again your amazing 💙🦉
— Barry Bannan (@bazzabannan25) May 10, 2022
The past two home fixtures, Portsmouth and Sunderland, have seen the Hillsborough crowd rise to the occasion, making S6 a wonderful environment for the players.
Acknowledging the crowd could have done no more, Bannan added: “They gave us everything. It’s hard to say how thankful we are and the boys appreciate everything they have done for us this season.
“They have been fantastic and I can only apologise that we couldn’t get over the line for them and give them that day out at Wembley but we will be back next year and trying hard again for them.”