Barnsley's debut season back in the Sky Bet Championship under Paul Heckingbottom can already be seen as a resounding success, as they sit in ninth position with an outside chance of the play-offs.

Paul Heckingbottom and Barnsley have had a meteoric rise since the play-off final victory over Millwall, which saw them return to the second tier.

Despite a relatively unimpressive home record at Oakwell, Barnsley's away record is only bettered by Newcastle United who sit at the top of the table.

Barnsley's achievements are even more impressive considering the fact that they have lost a number of key players in January.

As Paul Heckingbottom begins to reflect on what has already been an excellent season and starts preparations for next season, he may consider who is already good enough and who needs to make an impression and impress.

FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at TWO players who seriously need to impress between now and the end of the season...

 

Alex Mowatt

 

In what was a difficult transfer window for Barnsley, the sale of captain Conor Hourihane to Aston Vila who had played a crucial role in Barnsley's success in the first half of the season was a blow for the South Yorkshire side.

However, Barnsley's acquisition of Leeds United midfielder Alex Mowatt on a permanent basis was seen somewhat as a coup.

Although the 22-year-old central midfielder had fallen out of favour at Leeds United, he was still an extremely talented who was capable of performing at the Championship.

Mowatt was seen as Hourihane's replacement and that led to a lot of responsibility and expectation being bestowed upon him.

After a nightmare debut saw Mowatt sent off against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mowatt will have to seriously impress between now and the end of the season, if he wants to win back the support of the fans and the management staff and prove to be an astute signing for the South Yorkshire side.

Gethin Jones

Following the departure of highly-rated full-back James Bree to Aston Villa, Paul Heckingbottom had the difficult job of finding an adequate replacement.

Bree was a regular member of Barnsley's starting line-up, and the 19-year-old defender had been one of Heckingbottom's most reliable and consistent performers.

Having moved quickly in the transfer market, Heckingbottom brought in Evertonian defender Gethin Jones on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old defender who had previously spent a stint on loan at Plymouth Argyle and up until to being loaned to Barnsley, he was the captain of Everton's Under 23 side has had big shoes to fill following Bree's departure.

If Gethin Jones wants to continue to play regular first team football and be given the opportunity to gain priceless experience, he will have to seriously impress between now and the end of the season.