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Barnsley FC v Wigan Athletic: Daniel Stendel on main thing in Reds' favour ahead of 2026-27 kick-off BARNSLEY may currently lack a few things heading into the start of a new season in the eyes of Daniel Stendel, but he is also quick to stress that they do possess something that can work in their favour in 2026-27. Namely, the surprise factor. In his first official press conference since returning to the club, the German spoke of his squad not yet being ready in terms of the number of players he wants to play his style of intense football. Hopefully, that will be addressed by September 1, certainly in terms of attacking options. In fairness, he did balance things out a little by suggesting that the club's new arrivals - largely unproven players at third-tier level, but ones who are young and up-and-coming - may catch a few teams cold if they start the season on the front foot. It may have only been a friendly, but a Reds line-up did exactly that against a Lincoln City side in an Oakwell friendly last weekend. The hosts prevailed 3-0, thanks to goals from Patrick Kelly, pre-season stand-out Arley Kay and Reyes Cleary. The real thing begins this afternoon versus Wigan Athletic, who probably won't know too much about a number of Reds players who they are facing. Stendel said: "This is what I said to the players. I think nobody expects that we will have a so much better season than the last season. "But I said to the players - especially with some teams in this league and the ambitions to play in the Championship next year again - we can only surprise. "This is what we can do. It doesn't matter if everybody doesn't know the names from our squad or players, or who played (for) the first season in League One or at men's level as everybody has the chance to surprise. "For every single player, for us as a team and for us as a club, This is what we would like to do." Several players including the likes of Kay, Makenzie Kirk, Sam Gale and Amani Richards could be handed their competitive bows this afternoon. Cameron McGeehan, who has a strong chance of being handed the captain's armband in 26-27, is set for his second debut.