REDS defender Bobby Hassell believes the Reds now have the Championship experience to make a real success of the new campaign.

Bobby told www.barnsleyfc.co.uk: "I am looking forward to the new season. There have been a lot of changes and the manager has shown that he is trying to bring in the right sort of players that will see us progress and push on.

"We want to push on as a team into mid-table or higher. Look at Blackpool - they did not have a better squad that us but they had a little bit of luck and kept most of their side injury free.

"We had patches of 15 games or so where we played very well and only lost a couple. We have find that consistency throughout the season. This season is a pivotal one for us and we want to push on up the league table.

"This league is going to be so tight again next season. There isn't anyone really that you can say now will run away with it and there are some big teams coming up as well.

"We have the experience of playing at this level now and we are an established Championship side. I think the manager has made a statement of intent by bringing in Jason Shackell, who is an experienced performer who has won promotion from this division".

With pre-season starting at Oakwell next week, Bobby is looking forward to getting back in and starting the build up to the new campaign.

He added: "It will be good to be back in next week after a few months away. You do miss the games when you are away and we know that pre-season will be tough but I am looking forward to it. Pre-season is essential and is probably the most important part of the campaign.

"Hopefully we will hit the ground running. We had a little taster of what to expect from Mark Robins' pre-season programme during one of the international breaks last season. It was hard work but it was enjoyable because it was mainly done with the football. I have done 13 pre-seasons now and it is something I am used to. You have to be mentally prepared for it and it is different from ten years ago because players come back in better shape now.

"We have been given a programme to work through but as a seasoned professional you know that you have to keep yourself fit. I have been working on things through the break and I am raring to go now.

"You always cannot wait for the season to end when you are in the final few weeks of the campaign because playing in the Championship is mentally and physically tough. Having said that, within two weeks you cannot wait to get back going again!"

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