Season Preview: Barnsley

Last updated : 12 August 2007 By Rob Miles

How did you fare last season?
About as expected. Survival was the aim last season and we achieved it...just. A few hairy moments but the season has to be judged a success.

How do you expect you'll do this season?
A little better hopefully. I'd settle for midtable as long as we aren't in that battle at the bottom.

What have you done on the transfer market this summer? Which of your new signings are you expecting most from?
Complete overhaul of the squad in Simon Davey's first pre-season. 10 new players have been brought in with 1 or 2 more expected. Most are from overseas though who we know nothing about. Spent £400,000 on a Peruvian international striker so he's the one that has caught fans' imagination.

Where do you think you'll need to strengthen in the January transfer window?
Hard to say yet until injuries set in. I still think we need another centre half though and maybe a 4th striker if young Coulson doesn't break through.

Have you any promising youngsters breaking into the team?
Michal Coulson- Signed from Scarborough last summer, is 18 and banging them in for the Academy and Reserves. Currently our 4th striker. Also Nathan Joynes who has just gone on loan to Bradford, scored 4 in a 6-4 win over Leeds Reserves last season. And defender Rob Atkinson, tall lad who broke into the first team last year.

Have you got the right man in charge of the team? Will he still be there at the end of the season?
Who knows. Since 1998 we have had just TWO managers complete a full-season and have had 12 in the last 10 years. If we make a bad start he could be gone.

Is the club being run well? Are you likely to be singing 'Sack the board' any time soon?
Very doubtful. Reds fans, Chariman Gordon Shepherd and chief benefactor Patrick Cryne (55th richest man in football apparently) took over the club when Peter Ridsdale had left it on his knees. This summer for the first time in about 5 years we are going to show a profit and have spent close to £1m on players.

Which team do you most want to beat and why?
Sheffield Wednesday- Hated rivals and we have lost the last SEVEN at Hillsborough. A win's overdue.

Who do you think's going up?
I reckon Charlton will bounce straight back, Wolves in 2nd and I hate to say it but Sheffield United in the Play-Offs.

Who do you think's going down?
QPR, Bristol City (just for McIndoe) and hmmmmm tough one but I think Coventry could be a surprise drop (until they wallop us today for saying that)

How do you think Hull City will fare in the Championship?
Got to be better than last season surely. We hammered you at Oakwell but your squad is better than what it produced. I think midtable should be achieveable.

Rob Miles is editor of Barnsley-Mad