New Reds manager Paul Hart today said he had to reach a quick decision about joining but is looking forward to the challenge of fighting for a play off place.
At a press conference earlier today, Paul said: "When I was contacted I had to make a pretty quick decision. I only had a couple of hours to think about it but the deciding factors were that you never like being out of work, I like the people whom I will be working with and I feel that I will get the support required to take the club forward.
"The problems at Barnsley are similar to those I had at Forest. Things are not a million miles away and we must run a tight ship. However, I am looking forward to working with the players here and trying to improve them. Having said that I believe that it will be possible to bring new faces into the squad if needed.
"I consider us to be in a strong position to mount a challenge for the play offs. Until it is not mathematically possible we will be able to challenge for a place".
Chairman Peter Ridsdale added: "Paul’s teams play football and I saw first hand two FA Youth Cup winning sides playing attractive football. At Nottingham Forest he built an exciting team and we are delighted that Paul has admitted he is used to working on a tight budget.
"His qualities as a coach cannot be underestimated. It is a massive part of management to make the players you have better and Paul’s skills as a coach will help take the squad further. It is a major coup for the club that Paul agreed to join us".
Paul said: "It is important to say that I have done my home work. I want the Barnsley supporters to know that I have come here to do a job.
"I am planning for the short and long term and will try my best to produce a team that plays good football, I am honest with the players and the supporters and I am looking forward to it tremendously".