Barnsley: Sky Bet Championship season preview 2016/17
Sunday 31 July 2016 17:55, UK
All the transfer news, fan's views, predictions and odds ahead of Barnsley's 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Last year's finish: 6th (League One - promoted through play-offs)
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom
Title odds: 100/1 with Sky Bet
First five games: Ipswich (A), Derby (H), QPR (H), Huddersfield (A), Rotherham (H)
Players In: Kayden Jackson (Wrexham, Undisclosed), Ryan Kent (Liverpool, Loan), Elliot Lee (Unassigned Players, Free), Stefan Payne (Dover, Free), Tom Bradshaw (Wallsall, £650,000), George Moncur (Colchester, £550,000),
Players Out: Christian Dibble (Boston United, Free), Ashley Fletcher (West Ham United, Free), Otis Khan (Yeovil Town, Undisclosed), Jak McCourt (Northampton Town, Undisclosed), George Smith (Gateshead, Free), George Williams (Milton Keynes Dons, Free)
Fan's view - Lewis Robinson (@thebarnsleyboy), editor of www.thebarnsleyboy.wordpress.com
Expectation: I think most people's expectations this season will be to stay up. However, this squad is capable of achieving great things as shown last season. Despite this, obviously the Championship is a higher level so it will be a lot tougher, but I think we've got the quality but also grit to stay up this season.
Most important player: It may sound like a real cliche but I think the players compliment each other. I'd have to say Conor Hourihane. He scores, he defends and he's the captain.
Who will win the league? Newcastle
Potential dark horse? Wigan Athletic
One Championship player you'd want to sign? Robbie Brady (Norwich)
Ollie's prediction - 19th
I really liked the look of Barnsley in the play-offs last season. They could easily surprise a few people this season and will be an entertaining team to watch.
Sky Bet odds
Barnsley go into the Championship as 5/2 third favourites to face relegation according to the EFL sponsor Sky Bet. The Tykes are naturally considered outsiders to secure promotion, with Sky Bet making them 33/1 chances to go up and 100/1 to do so as champions. An opening-weekend trip to Ipswich sees them rated at 3/1 to start with a victory, with the Tractor Boys considered the league's shortest-priced favourites of the day at just 17/20.
