Johnson not keen on return

Barnsley manager Lee Johnson admitted he "could have done without" having to return to former club Oldham on Saturday.

Johnson, 33, received some spiteful Twitter messages from Oldham fans soon after leaving the club at the end of last month and heads back to Boundary Park with Barnsley just 17 days after making the switch. "I could have done without it if I'm honest," said Johnson, who has steered Barnsley to three straight wins since replacing Danny Wilson. "Just because it's still raw. Some people won't be bothered, some people will think it's the right decision and some will call me a little...whatever you want and I have to deal with that. "It's part of being a footballer or manager. I dealt with it when I played for my dad, which was not easy, but I can look at myself in the mirror. "I was proud of what I did at Oldham and of the squad they've got." Johnson, whose new side have transformed into play-off challengers from relegation candidates in the space of three weeks on the back of five successive victories, is expecting some vitriol from a section of Oldham supporters. "I'm sure there will be some," he added. "I'll be disappointed if there is because I gave everything for the club. Certain things have been documented that have disappointed me, some true, some not true. "But generally, the feeling between myself, the owners and the players at Oldham is very good and we'll remain friends forever. "So when you leave on good terms - and they got a decent fee for me - and leave the club in a better place, you hope that people understand. "But of course this is football and you're there to be shot at, so hopefully I'll get a decent enough reception although I don't expect the red carpet treatment." Johnson said he had spoken to every Oldham player since he departed the club and that they had all wished him well. "I'm always there for any ex-player," he said. "If you get the buy-in from the player, and I certainly had that at Oldham, then I'll always be there at the end of the phone for any help or advice that they may need. "It will be a good game. It's obviously got the added spice of the recent circumstances, but I'll certainly stay professional. "I hope people give me a decent reception, but I don't expect it."