Time for Reds to start again
Analysis of the key issues at Oakwell as relegated Barnsley are set to begin their League One campaign
THE POSITIVES may just be beginning to outweigh the negatives at Oakwell – or at least giving them a fair fight – for the first time in almost a year.
Since the worst season in seven decades ended in May, there has been a conscious effort from the club to make amends with the fans and rebuild on the pitch.
Although there is plenty of work still to do to make the Reds a promotion-challenger in League One, and heal the wounds from relegation, baby steps are starting to be made.
That has been shown from the ousting of the hated Paul Conway off the board and the tweaking of the youth-only recruitment policy, to various community initiatives and making all home match tickets in August £20 or less.
The biggest positive this summer has been Michael Duff. Since being appointed head coach, he seems to have made a big impact at Oakwell – instilling the discipline and work-rate that was often missing last season, and he is clearly a highly-rated coach with ambitions to reach the top level like he did as a player.
It is easy to say before a ball has been kicked competitively but, based on his previous achievements and early impressions, the Reds appear to have brought someone in who could build a successful team and bring more positivity back to the club.
He looks to be comfortable working with the recruitment department, maintaining the club’s overall philosophy, but having the power to veto or suggest certain signings.
But patience may be required from the fans, the board and Duff himself as he attempts to rebuild following the nightmare of last season while having many of his better players sold off then replaced on a very limited budget.
Some may be expecting a repeat of the Daniel Stendel promotion four years ago but these are totally different circumstances following the departure of far more of the squad, leaving a much less proven set of players.
It required 83 points to finish sixth last season in League One and, while it might not be as high this time, it will take a lot of wins to compete following a season in which the Reds won six of 46.
A tentative prediction would be for an inconsistent first half of the season as the new squad and staff gel, then a stronger second half which leaves them in upper mid-table or possibly in the fight for a play-off place.
But there are so many unknown factors.
Who will leave and arrive in the remaining month of the transfer window, then January?
How will the young midfielders cope?
Will the current perceived lack of threat up front be mitigated by a strong defence?
We will begin to get some answers in the next month as the transfer window concludes and Barnsley begin a difficult run of games.
After an opening day trek to Plymouth Argyle, who came seventh last season, they then take on teams who most would expect to compete for promotion in Derby County, Wycombe Wanderers, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday – all in the first five weeks.
The other fixtures out of the first eight are at home to Cheltenham and Bristol Rovers – not necessarily the most fancied sides in the division but games laden with narrative as Duff faces his old club then Joey Barton returns to Oakwell.
Results and performances across that tricky start should give us some indication of where Barnsley are, but this rebuilding job will be a marathon rather than a sprint.