"I'm very, very pleased with the lads.
"I think I've got a lot of lads who can hold their own in this division. There are one or two we have to look at.
"They thoroughly deserve their chance in The Championship. These are the ones who got us here.
"Just to say they are not good enough, I think, is out of order. I've got a lot of faith and loyalty to these players and they are going to get their chance."
Ritchie is also not concerned by the fact Barnsley are among the clubs tipped to be battling at the bottom end of the table.
He added: "I think we are looked at about eighth in line to go down and, if we are eighth in line, that's alright."