Cameron McGeehan believes his fellow promotion heroes Liam Lindsay and Adam Davies will be replaced well and has highlighted Barnsley’s track record of signing talent.
The duo joined the Reds’ Championship rivals Stoke City this week but McGeehan believes that will not harm Daniel Stendel’s newly-promoted team’s chances of establishing themselves in the Championship. Goalkeeper Davies’ departure has been offset by the arrival of Brad Collins and Sami Radlinger while Mads Andersen is the first of several expected centre-back signings after Lindsay’s exit.
Central midfielder McGeehan said: “Davo and Lindsay have gone but hopefully we can keep the rest of the squad together. Barnsley has always had a good track record of recruiting players to fill the gaps. It happens in football, players come and go. It’s just about Barnsley finding the right replacements which, more often than not, they do.
“I am looking forward to seeing who comes in and gives us competition for our places. The new boys who have come in so far look good in training so it’s exciting for all of us.”
Davies was the Barnsley captain during the promotion campaign so the armband is now up for grabs and McGeehan, as one of the longer-serving and more experienced players despite being just 24, is a candidate. He said: “I would be up for it but it’s the manager’s choice and we’ll see what happens. It’s there for someone to take. Davo was a really good captain and led us up because he had that experience. It will be up to the gaffer to choose who replaces him.”
Pre-season training began this week and McGeehan is happy to be back at Oakwell following a summer break. He said: “It’s like we’ve never been away. The training is very hard but it’s good to be back and see the lads. They all look very fresh and there are some nice tans.
“All the new lads have settled in very well, it’s easy to integrate into our team because we’re all very young. They fit the model of what the club is trying to do. You go away and have a mental break but we were ready to come back and start training again. We know it’s a step up to the Championship so we have to be at it and work hard. We have to have no fear.”
