After a new managerial appointment in the summer and a positive start to the 2018/19 campaign, Barnsley are on the comeback trail...
Despite relegation from the Sky Bet Championship last season, there is optimism once more at Oakwell. German Daniel Stendel was appointed to oversee a change of playing style at the Club, and just a few months into the new campaign, the disappointment of 2017/18 has been put behind them.
One beneficiary of the German's appointment has been goalkeeper, Adam Davies. One of Barnsley's longest serving players, the 26-year old was announced as the new Tykes captain at the start of the season and is flourishing in the role.
We sat down with Davies to run the rule over Barnsley's start to life in League One...
Q - You were named as the new Barnsley captain in the summer - how was that?
It was a great honour, I was named vice-captain last year so I thought I had a great chance to be named it this season. When the gaffer asked me to captain the side first game of the season I was absolutely buzzing.
I've been here for five seasons now, so hopefully I am a experienced lad within the group and I can help the team as much as I can.
Q - It must be pleasing to have a new manager in place and for him to name you as captain - it shows faith in you, doesn't it?
A lot can change when a new gaffer comes in, but he was great. He gave everyone a clean slate, whatever happened in the past it was wiped under the carpet. It's a good feeling when you get the backing of the manager, it gives you the confidence to go out there and perform to the best of your ability.
He likes the high pressing game, and you see a lot of German keepers become a bit of a 'sweeper-keeper', so it was something we spoke about quite early on when he came in. He actually sent me clips of Manuel Neuer and it is something I am trying to implement into my game - I wish I was as good as him!
Q - How do you think you've started the season as a team?
It's gone good. We're up there, but we can still do better and that is the exciting thing. We just need that consistency and to be at that top level every single game - we have spoke about it in the changing room and we're hoping we can do that more often, get the wins and climb up the league table.
Q - You've experienced, more than anyone at this Club, the highs and lows over the past few years, haven't you?
I have... Obviously it is alot more fun to be involved with the highs, but in football there are always going to be highs and lows. I think you have to aim to be right in the middle of that throughout the season - don't get too high when it's going well, or too low when it's going against you.
We know this season we should be in and around the top six and challenging for an automatic promotion place, so hopefully they'll be a couple more highs than lows.
It is tough being relegated, that is the first of my career. It is something you have to go away in the summer and get over it. It took a while but once you get back in you want to be firing on all cylinders. It's hard to get over, but it does make you a stronger person.
Q - Finally, I assume you'll be using that experience to help some of your teammates?
Definitely. We've got a younger team this season with a few really good characters in the group. It starts with us to keep the team going in the right director, but the manager is great in that regard as well. As captain I just try to do my job to the best of my ability and try to help the lads where I can on the pitch and off the pitch.