The verdict

Whilst the disappointment is still fresh in the minds it might be difficult for some to really assess the real progress the Tykes have made this season. Barnsley though are certainly a club that appears to be on the up and if they can keep hold of their best players and also Ismael this summer, then you can see them delivering on Woodrow’s message here and coming back even stronger.

The Tykes are full of quality and have a squad that is hungry for success and a recruitment model that is proving to be brilliant at bringing in players that suit the way they play perfectly. All of those things suggest that Barnsley’s play-off campaign will not be a simple one-off and they can put together another strong season next year in the Championship.

A lot of Barnsley players proved they belong in the Championship this season, and even if one or two key players do leave the club there is still a core of every good options for them to call upon. The Tykes should be going into the summer with optimism despite the disappointment of not taking their chance of promotion this time around.