Danny Wilson oversaw a big rebuilding project at Oakwell following relegation from the Championship. A total of 22 players left the club during the summer.
The most notable of these included 2013/14 top goalscorer Chris O'Grady, who was sold to Brighton. Long serving goalkeeper Luke Steele left for Greek giants Panathinaikos at the end of his Oakwell contract. Other departures included club legend Bobby Hassell, Paddy McCourt, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Jacob Mellis, while Stephen Dawson, Tomasz Cywka and Jim O'Brien turned down new contracts and subsequently left the club.
Wilson then strengthened the ranks with the signings of goalkeepers Adam Davies and Ross Turnbull, the latter of which turned down a new deal at Doncaster to join the Reds.
Reece Brown was the only defender brought in permanently over the summer, he was joined by Hull City left-back Joe Dudgeon on loan,
The midfield was significantly strengthened in the shape of former Derby man James Bailey, and £200,000 signing Conor Hourihane from Plymouth Argyle. Luke Berry was also brought in from Cambridge United and ex-Burnley winger Keith Treacy was signed on a free transfer.
Wilson sought to replace the outgoing O'Grady and signed Scunthorpe striker Sam Winnall, who finished the previous season as League Two top goalscorer as the Iron were promoted. Kane Hemmings and Leroy Lita were the other two strikers signed by the club over the summer.
August
The new season began on a baking day at Oakwell, and the visitors were Crawley Town. Seven players were handed debuts, but Dale Jennings was sent off on the first day of the season for the second season running for a tangle with Gwion Edwards. Izale McLeod headed the winner for the away side on 82 minutes.
The Reds were dumped out of the Capital One Cup, after losing 2-0 at home to Crewe at Oakwell the following Tuesday. But they gained revenge four days later by beating the Railwaymen at Gresty Road in the league. Goals from Martin Cranie and Leroy Lita saw the Reds complete a comeback to win 2-1.
Another midweek game saw the Reds twice come from behind to draw 2-2 at Coventry with goals from Conor Hourihane and Lita. Wilson's men then followed up that point with a crushing 4-1 win over Gillingham. Goals from Hourihane, Sam Winnall, debutant Devante Cole and Dale Jennings easily saw off the Gills.
We then closed the month with a 1-1 draw at Yeovil. Hourihane had given the Reds the lead but an own goal from Cranie gifted the Glovers a point.
Played 5 Won 2 Drawn 2 Lost 1 GD+3 Pts 8 Pos 5th
September
The Reds endured a shocking September, which began after the international break with a home game against MK Dons. The Dons roared into a 5-0 lead, before two goals from Hourihane and one from Devante Cole gave the result an air of respectability.
This was followed up by a goalless draw at Fleetwood before the Reds visited Port Vale and left pointless after a late Mark Marshall strike gave Vale a 2-1 win, Hourihane netting again for the Reds from the penalty spot.
The month ended with a 3-0 capitulation at home to Swindon Town.
Played 9 Won 2 Drawn 3 Lost 4 GD-3 Pts 9 Pos 21st