"What we would say to Simon this time is that our objective is to be in the top half," Oakwell owner Patrick Cryne said.

"If we push to be in the top half, which we were for most of the early part of the season, then that would be a good achievement."

Cryne added: "By the time you strike the critical part of the season, after Christmas, if you're in touch at that point you can really have a go.

Of course we want to be in the play-offs but our reality is to press to be in the top half.

"We saw the performance of Sheffield United and Crystal Palace this season; they surged towards the top."

Barnsley finished 18th in the Championship but fans were compensated by an FA Cup run to the semi-finals at Wembley.

"If you look at what we might have expected to do this season if we hadn't had the distraction of the cup we would have aspired to be at the top of the bottom half because that would show significant improvement on the previous year," Cryne explained.

"Had we turned in a couple more wins on the road we could have achieved that this year.

"Our home form was better than the clubs who finished fifth and sixth, but our away form was the worst. We were the worst side in the league on away form at times.

"Arriving at the top of the bottom half really hinged on being better away from home. We were in a lot of those away games but had it taken away from us by referees, like at Bristol.

"If we hadn't had the cup distraction I think we'd have achieved being at the top of the bottom half of the table."

n Derby County could ask Sheffield United to include Jon Stead as a makeweight in a deal to take Robert Earnshaw to Bramall Lane.

The Wales international striker, who emerged as a target for Kevin Blackwell this week, is also attracting interest from Nottingham Forest, with Pride Park chairman Adam Pearson confirming thy are the only team to meet his £2.5 million valuation.

Blackwell has so far showed no sign of matching that fee.

But, having admitted that several players are likely to leave South Yorkshire when the transfer window re-opens later this summer, he could be tempted to offer a member of his squad in exchange.

If so, then Stead is likely to be the name Derby target as they look to rebuild after a disastrous season in the Premiership.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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