Barnsley’s strong start to life back in the Championship is proof of what momentum can do for a team’s confidence.
Barnsley players celebrate after the game
Barnsley have started like a house on fire in the 2016/17 campaign, with the promoted side winning half of their 10 league games which leaves them 10th in the table. The quality that the team have at their disposal is clear for everyone to see, but another contributing factor to their surprising early success is the momentum they have carried with them from last season’s promotion.
Towards the end of their League One adventure last year, the Tykes went on a run that saw them lose just one of their final 10 league games. Despite this, they were hardly setting the world alight as they scraped into the play-offs on goal difference ahead of Scunthorpe United.
Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom celebrates with the trophy after winning the Sky Bet Football League One Play-Off Final
But the good thing for Barnsley was that anything can happen in the play-offs, and they certainly hit their stride as the South Yorkshire side battered Walsall 6-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals before seeing off Millwall 3-1 in the final at Wembley. The confidence boost that would have given the team and club as a whole is staggering, and it is evident that they have rode that momentum all the way through to the present day.
The belief and togetherness within that team is evident, with their latest last gasp equaliser against Aston Villa proving their never say die attitude. If they can keep up this level of quality, who knows where it could take them come May.
General view of fans outside the ground
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
