Play off contenders according to our local paper.

The Tykes enjoyed a fine finish to last season thanks mainly to the influence of a change of manager with ex-Oldham Athletic boss Andy Ritchie taking over from Paul Hart on 4 March.

Ritchie changed the fortunes of his new club by leading them to only two losses in their last 11 games, a run of form which was a huge contrast to Hart's final dozen fixtures which heralded only two wins.

With strikers Daniel Nardiello (from Manchester United) and one-time Yeovil Town target Paul Hayes (from Scnuthorpe) having been drafted in during the summer, Ritchies revolution should continue to gain momentum when the season starts.

Midfielder Brian Howard (from Swindon Town) and Richard Kell (from Scnuthorpe) have also joined the South Yorkshire outfit. And with players of the calibre of ex-Darlington forward Barry Conlon, former Manchester City and Rochdale midfielder Chris Shuker and one-time Leeds United man Stephen McPhail also in their side, the Tykes are expected to be involved in matters nearer the top of the table than the bottom.

Newcastle United man Michael Chopra completed a loan spell with Barnsley last season and was their top-scorer in the league with 17 goals. Ritchie is still hoping to land the 22 year old on a permanent move but a lot depends on the price set by the Premiership outfit.

 

Only if everyone else is really, really ****. In which case, we're in with a shout.

 

The item goes on to say that Donny & Bradford will also be play off contenders with Bristol City and Brentford for promotion.

 

the same Brentford that could only beat Bideford 2-1? ff

 

I seem to recall Yeovil beating us when they were a conference team and we were a premiership side.

 

We won 3-2, that match before the Premier season... din't we Cazi? (chinny)

 

To be honest I can't remember. I thought we lost for some reason. Must be my age love. I remember it being a bloody nightmare to get to cos I was being accompanied by a lad I worked with. His mrs dropped some money through my letterbox for him, and my dog took a fancy to her finger and split it open. Spent quite some time in hospital cursing 'cos I thought I was going to miss the gameff

 

Well that's all its credibility gone...

Brentford are hopeless.