In Barnsley's first season back in the Championship, the South Yorkshire side has exceeded all expectations as they sit 11th in the table with a top ten finish looking a real possibility.

One of the main reasons for Barnsley's success has been Paul Heckingbottom who has proved to be one of the best young managers in the Football League.

Despite losing some key players in the January transfer window, Barnsley have continued to impress as one of the surprise packages in the Championship this season.

However, in recent weeks, Barnsley's form has begun to slide with three defeats in four games. Paul Heckingbottom will be hoping he can help arrest the slide.

To arrest the slide, Heckingbottom may make some personnel changes for the Championship run-in which could help his Barnsley side finish the season strongly, and give them a momentum and a platform to build upon their success next season.

FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at TWO Barnsley players Paul Heckingbottom must axe from the Barnsley XI for the Championship run-in...

 

Adam Hammill

In Barnsley's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town, Paul Heckingbottom experimented as he played the vastly experienced winger Adam Hammill in the left wing position rather than his orthodox right-wing position.

An upturn in form by Marley Watkins has seen Adam Hammill's regular place in the right wing position come under threat.

After being one of Barnsley's standout performers in the second half of last season, Hammill has proved that on his day he is capable of producing the spectacular.

However, Adam Hammill's shift to the left-hand flank was at the expense of one of Barnsley's standout stars from this season, Ryan Kent.

To have both Marley Watkins and Ryan Kent as his wide men, Heckingbottom may feel that he must axe Adam Hammill from the starting lineup for the Championship run-in.

Instead, Adam Hammill may become an extremely effective impact substitute for Paul Heckingbottom to have at his disposal.

 

Matty James

Since making the loan move from Leicester City to Barnsley, Matty James has been unable to fill the void left by Conor Hourihane.

Although the 25-year-old midfielder has plenty of Championship experience, the midfielder has struggled to find his role in Heckingbottom's Barnsley side as he has played alongside a number of midfield partners.

James has struggled to be a winning influence as Barnsley have only won two games out of ten when the on-loan midfielder has featured.

As Paul Heckingbottom begins making plans for next season, he may use the run-in as a means of assessing which players will make the cut for next season, and as he begins to prepare for life beyond his current loanees including Matty James.

With Matty James returning to Leicester City at the end of the season, Paul Heckingbottom may axe the central midfielder in order to see how the combative midfield duo of Josh Scowen and Alex Mowatt works as a pair or Heckingbottom may opt to bring George Moncur back into the fold for the Championship run-in.