Simon Davey's men showed by beating Liverpool and Chelsea in the FA Cup last season that it is still not impossible for a Championship Club to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame.

But beating the likes of Norwich City and Coventry City proved a whole lot more problematic for the Oakwell outfit last term.

All too often Barnsley failed to replicate their fine Cup form in the League - and it very nearly cost them their Championship status.

Yet, buoyed by their fairytale run to the FA Cup Semi-Final last season, Barnsley will be out to cause more shocks this season.

And having splashed out over £1.2 million on Iain Hume in the summer, few would bet against the Tykes improving on last season's 18th place finish in the Coca Cola Championship.

Hume, who will have to shoulder a lot of the responsibility this term, arrived from relegated Leicester City in the summer and he should add more thrust to a Barnsley attack which relies all too often on star-man Brian Howard.

Howard was undoubtedly the Tykes' star turn during the 2007/08 campaign, scoring 14 goals in all competitions, including that priceless winner against Rafa Benitez's men in the FA Cup Quarter-Final at Anfield.

His continued presence at Oakwell, coupled with the signing of French winger Mounir El Haimour and Hume's arrival, certainly suggests Barnsley will be a far stronger outfit in the final third this season.

But it could be at the other end of the park where Barnsley grind out the majority of their points this season.

The permanent capture of goalkeeper Luke Steele was met with vocal agreement by the Tykes faithful, while the capture of experienced defender Darren Moore can't be overlooked either, with the veteran defender penning a two-year deal at Oakwell after being told his services were no longer required at Derby County.

The proof will be in the pudding in a few months time, but for now, the Tykes look positively set to improve upon last season's flat and rather disappointing conclusion to their Championship campaign.

Tykes Team News

Jamal Campbell-Ryce will miss the trip to Loftus Road on Saturday, after he suffered a suspected dislocated elbow in training on Thursday, while new signing Hugo Colace (hamstring) is also a major doubt.

To book your tickets for QPR v Barnsley, call 08444 777 007 now!