As is often the case, Reds fans began the season with renewed hope and optimism. Particularly after the way David Flitcroft's men ended last campaign, and the boardroom changes in the close season have given even the most pessimistic Reds fan a reason to sit up and take notice of whats going on.
But on a baking hot afternoon at Oakwell on Saturday, all the hope and optimism was extinguished as the Reds slipped to a 4-0 defeat to FA Cup winners and recently relegated from the Premier League, Wigan Athletic.
Wigan, now under the stewardship of ex-Bolton and Burnley boss Owen Coyle, looked a class apart from the word go. A rock solid defence consisting of Emmerson Boyce, Leon Barnett, James Perch and Stephen Crainey, never looked like being breached.
The Reds included just two of their permanent summer signings in their starting eleven, with Chris O'Grady making his debut as a full Barnsley player, and defender Jean-Yves M'Voto also stepping in for his first competitive game. Dale Jennings and John Cofie were on the bench, but Lewin Nyatanga was not included due to injury.
Wigan began the game on the front foot and looked good in possession, but the Reds did look a threat going forward, particularly down the left with Scott Golbourne. Having kept hold of Scottish playmaker Shaun Maloney, a lot of the visitor's play went through him.
He was the first to have a clear-cut chance at goal. Chilean winger Jean Beausejour tormented Scott Wiseman down the left, and squirmed a cross to the back post where Maloney waited, but he shot was saved by the legs of Luke Steele.
Jacob Mellis had a free-kick blocked by the Latics' wall before an intricate passing move set Golbourne free at the left side of the area but he dinked just wide, only to see the linesman flagging for offside.
Ten minutes before half time, just as Barnsley were beginning to get a foothold in the game, came the sucker punch which was Wigan's opening goal. FA Cup final hero Ben Watson, who probably should have been booked prior to receiving the ball from James McCarthy and been given the freedom of Oakwell to fire a low shot into the corner from 25 yards.
McCarthy came close again before half time, his angled shot beaten away by Steele. The half time whistle sounded with Reds fans still optimistic of getting something from the game after a more than acceptable first half display against a classy Wigan side.
The second half though, was a completely different story. Maloney was causing problems for Kennedy down the left and his low cross just evaded Grant Holt and Beausejour. McCarthy then had a deft shot cleared off the line by Golbourne, but that was as much luck as the Reds were getting.
From the resulting corner, the ball found its way through to Emmerson Boyce, who scuffed a shot at goal which was heading wide, but was divered home by Holt for a debut goal for the man signed from Norwich for £2million this summer.
David Flitcroft introduced Dale Jennings to the action on the hour mark, but the youngster's debut wouldn't last long. A bad touch from Watson in midfield led to a loose ball and a 50/50 challenge between Jennings and James McArthur. The Reds winger was a bit over exuberant and led with his studs which prompted referee Geoff Eltringham to show the ex-Bayern Munich man a straight red.
After this, Wigan just turned the game into exhibition mode. They added a third through another summer signing from Norwich, this time Leon Barnett stabbed home from close range following another Maloney corner.
The Reds just couldn't get hold of the ball and after a string of passes, substitute Marc Antoine Fortune was played in by Watson. His initial cross was blocked by Martin Cranie but Fortune had a second bite of the cherry and put the ball on a plate for Maloney, who grabbed the goal his performance deserved.
Player Ratings
Luke Steele – Made two good saves in the first half but could probably have done better for Wigan's third. 6
Scott Wiseman – Torn apart by Beausejour first half, but improved vastly in the second with some good surging runs forward. 6
Martin Cranie – Was always going to have a hard day keeping Grant Holt under wraps but he did it well, strong in the air and was unlucky for the fourth goal. 6
Jean-Yves M'Voto – A good debut for the big man. Some towering clearances above Holt and looked good on the deck as well. 7
Tom Kennedy – Bullied by Holt, but otherwise coped well. Think I'd rather see him in that left defensive position than Nyatanga. 6
Scott Golbourne – Probably the best Reds player on the day, some good interceptions and looked very dangerous in the final third. Key player for us this season. 7
Jacob Mellis – A bit of a “still on the beach” performance. You can tell he's got huge quality with some of his touches and play but lost the ball too often. 6
David Perkins – Industrious as ever, but was guilty of going backwards with the ball instead of playing an easy pass a bit too often. 6
Stephen Dawson – Never stopped all game without really having much impact on it. 5
Chris O'Grady – Very strong in the air as usual, and his hold up play was impressive. Just a shame his flick ons weren't finding anyone. 6
Chris Dagnall – A very anonymous performance. He did a lot of running around without seeming to touch the ball. 5
Subs
Dale Jennings (for Kennedy 60) – A debut no-one will forget, but for the wrong reasons. Sent off for a lunge on McArthur six minutes after coming on. N/A
Jason Scotland (for Dagnall 77) – Don't think he even got a touch! 5
Jim O'Brien (for Mellis 84) – Typical performance from a player who comes on when the game is dead and buried. 5
Reds Man of the Match: Scott Golbourne.
Wigan Man of the Match: Shaun Maloney.
Referee: Geoff Eltringham – One of the pickiest referees I've ever come across. On second inspection probably got the Jennings decision wrong as well. Not the best. 3