Luke Steele admits he expected last season's star players to leave this summer but is glad he was wrong.
There was intense speculation over the 28-year-old goalkeeper's future in the last few months but he signed a two-year deal last week.
He said: "Every summer the best players usually leave Barnsley and it is hard to build something when that happens. But the club have done really well to get Martin Cranie and Chris O'Grady.
"I didn't think that would be possible but I have been proven wrong."
Steele, who has made 194 appearances since joining the club in 2008, says he is more positive about this season than any of his previous five at Oakwell.
He said: "This is the best team spirit I have ever seen. Every player says that but it's actually true at this club. We have a lot of unfinished business from last season and we went to kick on.
"I'm not saying we're going to win the league or be in the Champions League in two years but we are in a good position to move forward."
