Rating Barnsley`s start to the season

Come Saturday Barnsley will have played a quarter of the season already which gives us an opportunity to rate our season thus far.

Rating out of 10

There was all sort of talk just prior to the new season kicking off with Reds fans expecting a transitional season given the new look squad and management team. Personally, I said we would finish just shy of the playoffs somewhere between 7th and 10th. I still believe that would represent a good season given the massive overhaul of the playing squad.

We all live in the moment so currently sitting in 5th on 20 points only 7 points and a game in hand on big spenders Ipswich isn't a bad start to life in League One. I would rate the Reds start to the season as a solid 6.5 given squad depth is still questionable.

Ups and downs so far

The positives were going away to Ipswich refusing to lie down and coming back twice to get a good point, playing Wednesday off the park in their own backyard winning 2-0 and going 6 games unbeaten (in all competitions). The away form has been impressive given we have played some of the top sides away, that form needs to transfer to Oakwell and make it a fortress.

There was a disappointing start to the season in a poor display at Plymouth, plus getting spanked 0-3 at home to Wycombe and Lincoln City (cup) but we have bounced back well from those setbacks.

Most pleasing aspect

This has to be the influence of manager Michael Duff and his management team who are turning around the negativity within the squad. Duff is like a breath of fresh air with his honesty and how he has developed the likes of Josh Benson, Luke Thomas, Devante Cole to name a few.

Duff`s recent interview where he explained how he was changing the mentality of the players was a real insight into his values. Making sure the players pick up their bibs in training not leaving them for someone else to clear up. Making everyone at the club feel part of the Barnsley family, so players do not just say hello to board members but everyone including the cleaners. The academy and first team eat together along with non playing staff just brings the whole club together working toward a common goal.

Duff explained how at half time away at Fleetwood the players had honest conversations with themselves challenging each other to be more ruthless in front of goal. Duff is turning around a defeatist attitude into a winning one amongst the players.

Whilst it is great to see the likes of Thomas, Kane, Cole & Benson coming on from tough recent seasons and that we have a really strong midfield, Michael Duff has to be the best summer signing the club made.

Looking ahead

With Exeter and Bolton coming up for the reds we cannot rest on our laurels as this division will crush you if you take your eye off the ball. Although Exeter have just slipped down the table to 11th a victory at Oakwell would put them 2 points behind the reds. Having lost their manager to Rotherham, it will be difficult to predict how Exeter will perform on Saturday which makes them a dangerous opponent.

Arguably, Bolton away will provide the acid test for Barnsley. One place behind the reds on the same points with a very good home form that game will be the yardstick in which to judge where we are. Given Barnsley have picked up points on the road at the likes of Ipswich & Wednesday we should go there encouraged by recent away wins at Cambridge and Fleetwood too.

It is easy to get carried away when we are on a little unbeaten run. Duff said he would have taken a draw at Fleetwood before Jack Aitchison`s 90th minute winner showed where Duff`s mindset is. Another clean sheet and the unbeaten run continuing pleases him, obviously winning so late on gave everyone a big shot of confidence but I still think if we are hovering around the playoffs come the end of the season that would be a good return after such turmoil from last season.