January
A new calendar year began at Oakwell and with it came a plethora of loan signings. Alex Kiwomya joined on loan from Chelsea and on the same day the Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship high fliers Middlesbrough. Jelle Vossen and Daniel Ayala handing them a 2-0 win.
Five days later Wilson strengthened his ranks further by bringing in Stoke City striker George Waring on loan, as well as Manchester United midfielder Ben Pearson. He also signed former Chelsea winger Milan Lalkovic on a free transfer. Waring got off to a perfect start as he and Hourihane gave the Reds a 2-0 win over Yeovil.
Josh Scowen was brought in from League Two leaders Wycombe for an undisclosed fee but the next two Saturdays ended in defeats for Barnsley, first a late 1-0 defeat at South Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster, and then a 2-0 reverse against MK Dons.
The Reds ended the month with a 2-1 win over Port Vale at Oakwell. Vale keeper Chris Neal's own goal gave the Reds the lead before Ben Pearson's mazy run and finish made it 2. Colin Daniel's goal gave Barnsley a nervy last 20 minutes but they hung on.
Played 26 Won 9 Drawn 5 Lost 12 GD-3 Pts 32 Pos 17th
February
The Reds opened February with a 1-0 win over Oldham at Oakwell with Kane Hemmings grabbing the winner after only ten minutes. But the inconsistency that had plagued the Reds all season came back to bite the following weekend with a 2-0 defeat at Swindon Town.
Fleetwood Town then came to Oakwell and despite Peter Ramage giving the Reds an early lead, the Cod Army left South Yorkshire with a 2-1 win.
This was ultimately the defeat that cost Danny Wilson his job. He was sacked along with assistant Chris Hutchings and the Reds were searching for yet another new boss.
Academy bosses Mark Burton and Paul Heckingbottom took the caretaker reigns for the trip to Crawley Town but the Reds sunk to an all time low, crushed 5-1 by the Red Devils which included a hat-trick from Izale McLeod with Hemmings netting the Reds' consolation goal.
Blackburn Rovers winger John O'Sullivan was signed on loan and Burton and Heckingbottom stayed in charge for the following weekend's match with Crewe at Oakwell. Lewin Nyatanga and a Paul Rachubka own goal handing them a 2-0 success.
And the caretaker duo oversaw another victory, this time at Scunthorpe with Josh Scowen netting the only goal in a 1-0 win. The next day, the Reds unveiled Oldham Athletic boss Lee Johnson as their new Head Coach.
And Johnson got off to a great start, with George Waring's tap in securing a 1-0 win at in-form Gillingham.
Played 33 Won 13 Drawn 5 Lost 15 GD-5 Pts 44 Pos 12th
March
With renewed optimism after three consecutive victories, the Reds welcomed Coventry City to Oakwell for Johnson's first home game in charge. And it was Waring again who netted the only goal in a 1-0 win. Johnson made his first foray into the loan market after this game, bringing in Cardiff City full back Declan John and Colchester striker Jabo Ibehre.
Another home game brought another victory and clean sheet with a 3-0 win over Walsall. Waring netting twice and Sam Winnall grabbing the third on his return from injury.
Johnson's fourth game in charge of the Reds was a trip back to his old club, Oldham. In a highly charged game Barnsley roared into a two goal lead courtesy of goals from Lewin Nyatanga and Conor Hourihane. The home side got back into the game at 2-1 but Nyatanga netted again to seal a winning return for Johnson.
The next three games all ended in draws, ending a run of seventeen matches without a draw that dated back to December 2nd. First, the Reds came away from Leyton Orient with a 0-0 draw which saw Milan Lalkovic sent off.
High flying Preston then were the visitors to Oakwell and after Joe Garner gave PNE the lead, Jabo Ibehre headed a late equaliser. The next game was a trip to table topping Bristol City. The Robins took the lead from the spot before Ibehre and Scowen put the Reds 2-1 in front but a late Joe Bryan equaliser saved City's blushes.
A remarkable run in late February and March had taken Barnsley into the playoffs, but with the three draws they had slipped to one place outside the top six.
Played 39 Won 16 Drawn 8 Lost 15 GD+1 Pts 56 Pos 7th