COREY O’Keeffe says Barnsley’s in-house strategy on attacking set pieces has gone from ‘corners are important’ last season to a detailed and meticulous approach under coach Conor Hourihane.
The Reds have created the most chances in League One from corners this season, and also from throw-ins, while scoring nine set piece goals from 18 games compared to 13 in all of last season.
O’Keeffe, who takes the right-footed set pieces, and left-footed captain Luca Connell are both in the top five in the division for ‘key passes’ from corners.
They have been working under first team coach Hourihane, who arrived for this season, on attacking set plays.
O’Keeffe told the Chronicle: “I am enjoying it.
“Conor every day shows us clips of set pieces.
“He shows us the bad ones we need to work on and the good ones.
“He’s constantly coming up with new routines which will help the team.
“It’s massive for us.
“Last year it was probably just like ‘corners are important’ or ‘corners are a good chance to score’ but now it’s so much more – runners, blockers.
“There is loads to it and me and Luca really enjoy that.”
