They used to sigh on the Gallowgate as Newcastle won corners. As good as a goal kick, fans would mutter. Without any semblance of a plan, their team would always fail to force openings.
Things are a bit different these days under their most heralded manager for a long, long time. Set-pieces breed goals and did so in Yorkshire on a night Newcastle dug deep and ended up marvelling at Dwight Gayle once again.
Barnsley made Rafa Benitez’s well-oiled visitors work for this. And the graft his side are putting in on the pitches at Darsley Park continue to pay off during a quest for immediate promotion.