Barnsley striker hails '˜fantastic' season so far

The marksman netted a whopping 24 goals in all competitions last term for the Reds. Paul Heckingbottom’s men are currently sat in mid-table, with owner Patrick Cryne stating at the start of the season that anything above relegation would be satisfactory.

The Reds came into the Championship with just two players with experience at this level, Aidy White and Adam Hammill - with Adam Armstrong previously featuring for Newcastle in the Premier League.

Winnall feels the squad has done remarkably when you factor in their inexperience in the second tier. “Considering we’ve come in off the back of last season and carried that on we’re doing fantastically” said Winnall, who has bagged four goals so far this season. We’re in mid-table at the moment and we want to be aiming higher. If you look at the squad, it’s their first year at this level. We’re beaten some really big sides and have played some good football. We just need to carry that on.”

The Reds’ rocketing start, five wins in their first seven fixtures, had fans sensing another play-off push could be on the cards.

The Oakwell club are just four points off the top six, but Winnall wants everyone to see it in perspective. He added: “This time last year we were probably in the relegation zone in League One and now we’re doing well in the Championship.

“Sometimes you have to take a bit of perspective and realise we’re actually doing really well.

“This is why we got promoted last season, so we could see how well we could do here.

“We’re really enjoying it. We’ve done really well so far and just have to keep it up.”

Elsewhere, Jacob Brown has signed his first professional contract at the club.

The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, until the summer of 2018.

Tipped as one for the future, Brown came off the bench to make his debut against Brentford and has impressed in the U23s so far this season, topping the goalscoring charts for Paul Harsley’s side.