After relegation from the Championship, Daniel Stendel was appointed to get the club right back to the second tier at the first attempt.

It was a summer of transition for the club who were narrowly relegated alongside Burton Albion and Sunderland.

A rebuilding process was in effect at Oakwell with players coming and going in order to have a team ready to mount a challenge for the League One title.

On July 27, Stendel added to his midfield options for the 2018/19 campaign.

Kenny Dougall was announced on a two-year deal, signing from Sparta Rotterdam.

Dougall’s deal came with the option of a third deal, and there was plenty of reaction to his summer arrival.

The 27-year-old Australian made his debut in the opening day of the season win over Oxford United.

And he would start his first 12 games in a row and play the majority of the minutes available, coming off just twice in that time.

Of the 25 appearances in all competitions, Dougall started 20 of them with four coming from the bench.

Despite not scoring, he has a go-to guy for the Barnsley boss and has endeared him to the Tykes faithful.

Defensively minded, he has been one of the main reasons why the club find themselves where they are in the table.

The initial reaction to his signing was welcoming, and one of anticipation and the player in question has indeed paid the club’s faith back so far, with the club sitting third in League One table and on course to make a real go of getting back to the Championship at the first time of asking.