HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s season opener at Portman Road by delving into their forums. You can find reports on the rest of this season’s Championship opponents at the bottom of the page.

“It’s really hitting home. This day last year I received my Chesterfield away ticket. How things change in a year”, “We are days away from getting a first chance to see how things could pan out. It’s very exciting”, “Let’s set our sights on doing a Leicester, why not? We have momentum from last season.”

Barnsley were in the League One relegation zone on Christmas Day. Their most wildly optimistic fan could never have forecast the promotion run which followed. That run of 17 wins in 24 games saw the Tykes storm into sixth place and they then swept past Walsall and Millwall to win the play-offs.

“It’s certainly not a season I will forget, as I don’t think the swing in fortunes over the course of the season has been matched in my 40 years watching Barnsley”, “Very few teams could handle us by the last month of the season. We were easily the best team in the division then, bar none.”

“The fitting end to the regular season was the 4-1 win at Wigan. That one game seemed to sum up our year, falling behind to a goal when we were carved wide open but then scrapping back to finally run out easy winners”, “It’s a new season. Let’s shock ‘em and start by believing in the impossible.”

Paul Heckingbottom

“From rock bottom to Heckingbottom”, “How great is it to have a man like Hecky leading us? Not only has he got results with style but he has forged a togetherness from the team to the fans that reflects his passion for the club. He gets what it is to watch Barnsley and support the team.”

“In Hecky we trust.” The Barnsley-born 39-year-old as caretaker head coach when Lee Johnson left Oakwell for Bristol City in February and this was confirmed as a permanent appointment at the end of the campaign. “Best signing of the summer. After what he has achieved, he deserves our respect.”

“Make no mistake, this will be some challenge this season. I only hope Hecky’s afforded the support, patience and leeway his achievements so far deserve”, “I just want us to stick with the bloke if we struggle this season. He has proven to us all he has what it takes to get a team out of League One.”

“He’s a very talented young coach, a proper football man. I have a gut feeling he’s more grounded than Lee Johnson.” One recurring theme has been a lingering antipathy for the departed Johnson. “He had a lucky break at Barnsley. Few clubs would have stuck with him through that losing run.”

“Johnson delivered the most safety-first tedious football I can remember seeing at Oakwell. I have never seen a team with as little bravery and unwillingness to attack other teams”, “He had a top-six player budget and had us playing football ‘as we had never seen’ at the bottom of League One.”

Squad Rebuilding After Promotion

Nine players have arrived as Heckingbottom has started reshaping the squad for life in this division. The defence has seen the arrival of 24-year-old right-back Andy Yiadom from Barnet, while centre-back Angus MacDonald, 23, who joined this week from Torquay, is suspended for Saturday’s game.

Creative midfielder George Moncur, 22, has joined from Colchester and Heckingbottom confirmed to the Yorkshire Post yesterday that they had agreed a deal to sign free agent and ex-PSG holding midfielder 20-year-old Sessi D’Almeida after a successful trial, subject to international clearance.

Winger Ryan Kent, 19, has been signed on a season-long loan from Liverpool and four new strikers have also arrived. Kayden Jackson has joined from Wrexham but has been loaned to Grimsby for the season. Elliott Lee, 21, has come from West Ham having been on loan at Colchester last season.

The two strikers who are expected to make a more telling impact in the Championship are Stefan Payne, a 24-year-old who was prolific up front for Dover Athletic in the Vanarama National League last season, and Wales international Tom Bradshaw, 23, who arrived from Walsall on a three-year deal.

Looking at departing players, three defenders were released with George Williams (Milton Keynes), Jak McCourt (Northampton) and Paul Digby (Town) all with new clubs. Midfielder Otis Khan has joined Yeovil and striker Harry White has been signed by non-league Solihull Moors.

Supporters are also conscious that they will miss the contribution of three loan signings who were pivotal in last year’s promotion run. Winger Lloyd Isgrove (back at Southampton), striker Ivan Toney (back at Newcastle) and midfielder Josh Brownhill (now at Bristol City) are no longer at Oakwell.

Paul Digby

“Ipswich are at home to Barnsley first game. I bet Paul Digby has a stormer”, “I don’t like the way one of our so-called stars of the future has left on a free transfer, but I suppose that’s the way it goes”, “A free transfer was ridiculous.” Tykes are watching the 21-year-old’s progress with interest.

“Digby’s probably better suited to the Championship than League One. You get just a couple more seconds and it works for him in a better league”, He was handled terribly by a string of managers and it certainly hasn’t helped his confidence since he broke on to the scene all those years ago.”

“Digby’s got talent”, “He played at Middlesbrough when they were fighting for promotion. Ipswich kept a clean sheet and I was told he was brilliant that game”, “He had an absolute stormer at Boro”, “Mick has seen something good in him. That’s good enough for me to say the lad has a future.”

Pre-Season Activity

Barnsley had a busy pre-season including four friendlies against league opponents. They started with a 3-1 victory at Cheltenham Town and this was followed by a 0-3 reverse at home to Everton, a 2-2 draw against Hull City at home and most recently a 2-0 win at Peterborough last Saturday.

Peterborough 0 — 2 Barnsley (Pre-Season Friendly)

“We were promising all over the field with good moments from everyone.” Midfielder Josh Scowen got the Reds off to an ideal start scoring from a header on seven minutes and the victory was confirmed when a second header - this time from Stefan Payne - doubled their lead on 89 minutes.

“We looked good when we were in possession but were leaving loads of gaps between midfield and defence for Posh to use on the break.” Fans at the game felt that they were too open at times. “The winning margin could have been more. We need to be more ruthless when near the 18-yard line.”

The starting XI (above) contained the nucleus and probable shape of the side likely to begin our game on Saturday, although many Tykes have included midfielder Marley Watkins on their right flank instead of orthodox winger Ryan Kent in their proposed line-ups.

The finishing XI (above) after three substitutions had been made was interesting. Fans have talked about the possibility of using a lone striker when protecting an advantage or in difficult away games. Some felt that the introduction of the more physical striker Stefan Payne against Posh was a dry run.

“It’s incredibly naïve to think we will play 4-4-2 all season in the Championship. Our midfield would get ripped apart”, “It’s a myth that Hecky only plays 4-4-2. There were plenty of times when he used 4-5-1 and it worked well”, “Our squad is able to naturally play it without forcing players into roles.”

Goalkeepers and Defenders

“Nick Townsend did well in goal against Posh and I’m willing to give him a chance. He’s clearly a good shot-stopper.” Having started their last two friendlies and impressing at Peterborough, most Reds think the 21-year-old former Birmingham youth keeper will start on Saturday ahead of Adam Davies.

“Townsend doesn’t fill me with any confidence whatsoever.” Some feel that his inexperience can tell as when conceding to Hull in the recent friendly. “He is a very good keeper but makes some crazy decisions at times”, “I hope he cuts out those errors because he’s a good keeper in the making.”

“A very balanced left-back”, Tykes are more relaxed with 24-year-old former Miller Aidan White. “He can get deceived by clever wingers but manages to get back and put a tackle in”, “Bombing forward isn’t everything although I would be surprised if he plays over 20 games with his injury prowess.”

“Andy Yiadom will definitely give us some moments this season. He will always have the potential to do something questionable, disastrous or occasionally brilliant, especially in defence”, “He may be a lively right-back who likes to get up the pitch, but I hope he plays without taking risks at the back.”

“Yiadom was clearing the ball on the six-yard line one minute and having a shot on the edge of the box the next.” The 24-year-old new arrival from Barnet “is not exactly composed on the ball but is a very decent player, making decent runs and putting in fantastic balls”, “He won’t be out of his depth.”

“Immense”, “Marc Roberts is the best Reds defender since Mick McCarthy.” The 26-year-old one-time Halifax Town centre-half has been praised for his strong defensive work. “Robbo is a certain starter on Saturday along with Mawson. They are definitely the men in possession.”

“Very much some good, some bad, isn’t he?” Tykes have highlighted one area which Roberts has had to develop. “Giving the ball away was one of the things he did best”, “By the end of last season he started to improve on the ball. That’s why it’s annoying when he has been sloppy in pre-season.”

Alfie Mawson

“One of the best and most talented players in League One last season”, “We will be sad to see him leave as he is a class act, but if he wants to go and the price is right, let him”, “A promising talent.” Tykes feel that former Brentford centre-back may move up a level in this summer’s transfer window.

“A ball-playing centre-half”, “If we lose Mawson he will be hard to replace”, “He’s a 22-year-old very versatile defender that is good with his feet and in the air. He takes a good freekick and he scores goals”, “Lots of clubs are interested but there have been no acceptable bids”, “He could shine.”

Central Midfielders

“Sessi D’Almeida will probably sign. He will give us that extra bit of versatility and depth in midfield”, “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the bench at Ipswich. We’re still lacking massively in central midfield.” The 20-year-old “looks lively, he has a few neat touches and a decent strike on him”.

“Sessi looked a bit raw in the Hull game and against Posh but he certainly has potential. He seems to have a keen eye for a pass.” The former Bordeaux holding player is seen as a decent bench option. “He looks OK but a bit headless chicken in parts, but the type of player we don’t have at present.”

“I think that against certain teams in this league, especially away from home, 4-4-2 could be a bit suicidal. This is where I think slotting George Moncur into midfield will be a real help us be more solid and hard to break down”, “A natural attacking midfielder operating just off the striker.”

“We saw what Moncur was about against Hull. His link-up play allowed us to play 20 to 30 yards higher up the pitch with him in the centre.” Some feel that the 22-year-old arrival from Colchester can assist the balance in midfield. “He hasn’t got a tackle on him and is really a number 10.”

“I like Josh Scowen but he’s very much all-action”, “I hope he shows a bit more positional discipline and that he and Hourihane can dovetail as well as the middle pair did late last season”, “He is worth two players with the ground he covers. He has quality, but also the willing ability to complement it.”

“I don’t see the uncertainty with Scowen.” The 23-year-old ex-Wycombe man “has been 100 per cent with his energy and enthusiasm and with no little quality to boot”, “He is playing out of his skin this pre-season and is a more than able replacement for Brownhill”, “He has looked class in pre-season.”

Conor Hourihane

“Conor needed to work on his all-round game and not just set pieces and has become a much better player for having done so. He has added an attacking dimension to his game”, “He couldn’t tackle or play in central midfield when he came here, but has proved it was something he could learn.”

The 25-year-old followed Roy Keane from Sunderland to Town in 2010, but left a year later having failed to break into the side. After a successful spell at Plymouth, he joined Barnsley in 2014 and has impressed with his “sheer desire and determination which make him absolutely superb as a leader.”

“The moment that stood out for me last year was Conor’s goal away at Fleetwood in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi-final. He knew he was going to get taken out but the desire to hit the ball and score was more important than personal safety”, “He has an attacking dimension to his game.”

Wide Midfielders

“I admire his pace and versatility.” Tykes have had little to say about 25-year-old former Bath City and Inverness winger-cum-midfielder Marley Watkins, but he is seen as a creative player who can operate in a number of right-sided roles on the team. “He is a fantastic foil for striker Sam Winnall.”

“Ryan Kent looks a right talent. With him and Adam Hammill in the side we need to be looking for bets for the most penalties awarded this season.” The 19-year-old summer arrival on loan from Liverpool has impressed Tykes with his pace and trickery. “Clearly talented but a bit lightweight.”

“Kent had a mixed sort of game at Peterborough. He beat his man easily but his decision making was poor.” The right winger’s rawness and inexperience have been highlighted. “He looks very promising and could be the natural successor to Lloyd Isgrove if we can’t get him back from Southampton.”

Adam Hammill

“The makings of an Oakwell legend”, “We love him and he’s at home here. He can fall over doing his fancy step-overs and we won’t care”, “A true Red and an inspiration to the team”, “For such a skilful player, his career elsewhere hasn’t been sparking. Perhaps Barnsley just brings out the best in him.”

“Couldn’t be more pleased.” Tykes were overjoyed at the news that the 28-year-old ex-Huddersfield left winger, who played for Town boss McCarthy at Wolves, penned a new two-year contract to extend his second stay at Oakwell. “Adam has make himself a Barnsley legend in the last six months”, “He is admired by virtually everyone at Barnsley.”

One Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game in November against York was seen by many as critical in last season’s turnaround. “It was a terrible game which could easily have been lose barring his virtuoso performance, topped off by a trademark excellent goal. He couldn’t walk off the pitch by the end.”

Strikers

“Stefan Payne has more of a physical presence up front than our other strikers”, “Partner him with Bradshaw and the Ipswich defence will get battered”, “He puts his head where not many will and has a surprising amount of pace too”, “It’s only pre-season but it’s better to be banging in goals.”

“Payne has definitely thrown the gauntlet down in pre-season.” The 24-year-old has been unfazed by the move to a higher level. “He has been a real find, given that he played for Dover last season”, “It would be great if he turns out to be a find but it defies logic to put our immediate future in him.”

“Sam Winnall will start at Ipswich.” The 25-year-old ex-Scunthorpe man “isn’t the quickest but has that good striker’s instinct of being in the right place at the right time”, “I have nothing but praise for Sam’s efforts last season. To his credit he worked hard and ended up as a 21-goal-a-season striker.”

“Winnall has gone through this period of indifferent form in pre-season friendlies, but he deserves a crack at games in the Championship.” He is praised for his industry. “He can’t play on his own with his weaker all-round play. Put him with someone who suits his style and you have a brilliant striker.”

Tom Bradshaw

“Here’s hoping Bradshaw gets a goal on Saturday.” The 24-year-old summer signing from Walsall is the highest profile arrival at Oakwell this summer. “His strength is his movement off the ball, his ability to sniff out goal scoring spaces and his excellent ability as a finisher. He’s the real deal.”

The jury is still out for some Tykes. “Tom has been ineffective in pre-season. He didn’t hold the ball up enough, have it away cheaply, often failed to link with his midfield and didn’t offer much of a threat in the opposing team’s box”, “A lot will depend on building a good trust with Winnall.”

“I can see he’s very confident as a lone striker which he played well at Walsall”, “He has a fair bit of pace and is good in the air. He has caused us all sorts of problems playing for opponents in the past four seasons”, “A more natural finisher than Winnall, he’s probably as good a striker as we can get.”

Prospects for the Season

“I honestly don’t know how we will finish. The players who earned promotion and who won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last season, as well as earning our eternal gratitude and respect for their efforts, will be given an opportunity to show they can make the step up to the Championship.”

“I am happy with the recruitment policy and the strategy of building with young players, and I think that this will eventually establish us in the Championship. I’m just not sure it will come as early as this season”, “How many are aware that this uncharted territory for all bar two of our squad?”

“I have mixed feeling about this season. The team building this summer looks long-term to me. It’s mainly young players with potential recruited from lower leagues.” Tykes have contrasted their buying with Burton, who have added the experience of players like Chris O’Grady and Ben Turner.

Many sense what is coming and are urging patience. “Let’s back our lads and get behind them from the off”, “The key is to make sure that any slump we have doesn’t last more than a couple of games. I get the feeling that if we slipped into one this season, we would be cut adrift before we arrest it.”

Barnsley Supporters’ Thoughts on ITFC and the Game

“Roll on Portman Road”, “I expect us to lose to Mick’s mob on Saturday”, “I can’t remember the last time we won on the opening day of the season. Our last three were against Wigan, a 0-4 home hammering, Crawley, an embarrassing 0-1 defeat and a 1-3 loss at Chesterfield last season.”

“At odds of 6/5, let’s back Ipswich. There’s plenty of time for our lads to get their act together, but I think Saturday’s test will come a little too early in their education. Mick’s men have been knocking on the door in recent seasons, whereas I think we need a little time to find our feet.”

“Ipswich away, that’s a poor start. The inevitable thing being it’s one we never win at”, “We have played 20 times at Portman Road and won only twice, a hard game.” While Tykes are pessimistic about their chances on Saturday, the fixture brought back nostalgic memories for a good few fans.

“Was it 1989 we played Ipswich away first day? We had a cracking day out on the coach, stopped at a village just outside and managed to squeeze in three pints even though I was only 15. We got beat 3-1 but were one up. It was a red hot day”, “They hammered us 3-1 and the score flattered us.”

“We need Mike Turner at Portman Road”, “Was it in 2007 they hammered us 5-1, three goals in the last 10 minutes?” “Bloody Chelsea Dagger three times in 10 minutes. It really put me off that song”, “The Chelsea Dagger song reminds me of that hammering every time it’s played.”

Websites

The busiest Barnsley forum is the polite and well informed Barnsley FC Bulletin Board.

@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

LankHenners added 10:13 - Aug 5 And with a HarryFromBath pre-match preview, the buzz for the new season gets a little more electric. Talk about momentum, they've got it and then some, flying up from doom and gloom to breeze through the playoffs. It should be a very interesting game - hopefully we can knock them around a bit as a welcome to the Championship and be more aggressive than we were for large periods of last season at home. I look forward to seeing Ward and Grant if they play, which I'm sure they will, so could be an interesting battle on the wings with Hammill and Kent against whichever pair Mick goes with. Mick knows we'll need to get off to a good start to further clear some of the apathy that has been creeping in, and hopefully we'll start as we mean to go on.

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OwainG1992 added 10:14 - Aug 5 Good read Harry as usual! They seem more confident of us winning on Saturday than we feel!
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bluefeast added 10:16 - Aug 5 They don't fancy their chances , well if the ammo is supplied i fancy ours.
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oscarwhiting added 10:17 - Aug 5 Sounds like they don't like our goal music 😂 Let's hope for a positive line up from mick, which should put us in course for a good home win on the opening day. COYB. Well done as always Harry 👍
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StuartBrett8 added 10:27 - Aug 5 As a general rule last year, teams that feared us usually rolled us over and vice versa.... We should be beating Barnsley. 3-0 us and top of the league Saturday night :) Good work Harry
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carlo88 added 10:27 - Aug 5 Was feeling OK today 'till I saw that picture of Michael Chopra.
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JCBLUE added 11:20 - Aug 5 And now I know the new season is upon us!! Great read as always Harry.
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TR11BLU added 11:23 - Aug 5 Excellent preview as ever Harry. Lets hope Mick is as confident as they aren't...and picks a positive line up. My optimism is returning, suddenly I feel a win coming on
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IamSpartacus added 12:33 - Aug 5 My 'Go To' read before every Town game, thanks Harry. I'm hoping MM sets the team up to attack more at home from the off tomorrow... will certainly be an indication of MMs intent. I hope he doesn't revert to the dull and dismal or PNE and Rotherham last season. I'm going for 3-1 Ipswich
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TractorBeezer added 16:07 - Aug 5 Well done Harry and thanks! It's great to be informed with key factors prior to games. Hopefully we'll be in (responsible) attack mode tomorrow. UTTBs
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Wonky added 16:28 - Aug 5 Thanks as always, always an essential read.
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jas0999 added 17:21 - Aug 5 Agree with their fans, who have always been great by the way, that this has straight forward home win written all over it. Great start for us.
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 20:13 - Aug 5 Over the whole pre-season, I haven't been that excited for the fore-coming season. A couple of signings (and shock horror, a bit of money spent!) and your 'Notes For..' articles have spruced me and my enthusiasm right up! Should (theoretically) be a straight forward win but you know nothing is ever straight forward for us. I'm really hoping Mick can turn my opinions of him on their head and we play better football and challenge for promotion properly this season. COYBs!

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Mick_Mills_Tache added 20:14 - Aug 5 Oh and thanks Harry - great read and always look forward to these!
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The_Romford_Blue added 05:25 - Aug 6 You know the season is well and truly back when you see a Harry preview. Cheers bud
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jdtractor96 added 07:57 - Aug 6 Am I the only one who's read that and now have a bad feeling about today? I hope I'm proved wrong, but they finished last season incredibly well and they've made some decent signings too. Town won't be in my acca today anyway!
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