2009-2010 Championship Previews

Manager: Brendan Rogers

Odds to win: 14/1. Odds for Promotion: 4/1

2008-2009:

Position: 4th W:21 D:14 L:11 F:72 A:40 Points: 77

Top Scorer: Kevin Doyle (18)

FA Cup: Third Round

League Cup: Third Round

Yellows: 62 Reds: 5

Results against Reds:

6/2/08 Barnsley 0-1 Reading. 18/4/09 Reading 0-0 Barnsley

2009-2010:

Name: Neil Burke

Club: Reading

Level of Interest I.e Now and then, Every other week, season ticket holder etc) Season ticket holder. Can't get to away games due to family commitments

How has pre-season gone for you? The usual mix of non league clubs and a trip to Sweden followed by one "big" game. Only lost one (to Kettering) and won all the rest. Rodgers has been using pre-season to experiment with new formations and tactics so the results are not important.

Are you pleased with the signings your club has made? We've only made one!!! He looks decent enough but we need experience not more youngsters.

What realistically are you aiming for this season? Mid table consolidation. The club has gone through major change this summer with the entire coaching team being replaced and most of our longest serving players leaving. Definately a transitional period.

Which player has past his sell by date? None. They all left this summer (Murty, Hahneman, Duberry)

Have you got the right manager in charge? Who knows. He certainly talks a good game and plays attractive football but will the results follow?

What advice would you give him? Build for the future and play the youngsters.

Who do you see as your key player? Marek Matejovsky. He's not played to his full potential yet since he joined us, but he is one of the best passers of the ball in the entire Championship and should suit the way Rodgers likes the team to play.

Who would you most like to beat this season? Forest. We need to get off to a winning start and put the poor home form from the second half of last season behind us.

Where will you finish? 10th

How do you rate Barnsley's chances next season and where do you think they will finish? I think it will be long hard season for Barnsley and a probable relegation battle. However I think there will be 3 worse teams than you this season.