The big Joe Willock question | OneFootball

Joe Willock has had a really challenging time coming back from a significant injury.

The midfielder then having ongoing injury and fitness issues.

Joe Willock having been a key member of the Newcastle United team that finished top four 17 months ago.

So what is the situation now?

Our most recent sighting of Joe Willock, was on Saturday.

Off the bench against Brighton but making minimal impact as United remained one nil down to the final whistle.

Interesting then to see this question asked and especially the reply.

Chris Waugh of The Athletic asked in a Q and A with Newcastle United fans – ‘What is going on with Joe Willock?’ – the question getting this reply from Waugh:

‘Joe Willock has been disappointing, especially so when he came on against Brighton, and it is a massive frustration for many at the club because, when he is on form, he brings unique qualities to the midfield. Nobody else can carry possession in the dynamic way Willock does and, without him, Newcastle appear more pedestrian and predictable.

Aside from his excellent second-half cameo at Wolves last month, when Willock created more chances than anyone else and Howe essentially felt forced to start him at Fulham a week later because of that, he has consistently failed to positively affect matches. Howe even hooked him at half-time that day at Craven Cottage and admitted he got that selection wrong, so ineffectual was the 25-year-old.

While members of the coaching staff have expected more from Willock, there is also an appreciation regarding his lack of minutes. Since the start of last season, he has only started six league games — and he is a player who thrives on rhythm and regular football. He is no longer actually injured, but his body is still returning to peak fitness, which he will only attain once he starts regularly and, right now, his performances do not warrant a place.

Willock deserves time and understanding as he tries to return to his top levels, but he also has to offer the team more than he has recently. When Howe publicly admitted that his substitutions did not have the desired effect against Brighton on Saturday, Willock was one of the players he was alluding to. That message needs to be absorbed and then acted upon.’

I found this Joe Willock appraisal by the man from The Athletic of particular interest, as I wrote the following on The Mag just ahead of that Brighton defeat….

‘It all went wrong for Joe Willock 17 months and one day ago.

Ironically, on a night when pretty much everything went perfectly for Newcastle United.

On 18 May 2023, Newcastle United taking on Brighton.

A 4-1 hammering of the visitors that was the performance and result, which effectively guaranteed a top four finish and Champions League football the following season.

For Joe Willock though, it was the start of 17 months of frustration, with only the very odd positive moment to enjoy.

The former Arsenal player was forced off through injury on 61 minutes of that hammering of Brighton, with United leading 2-1. He hasn’t been the same since. Not able to put any run of performances, or indeed even any run of matches together.

Since that May 2023 match against Brighton, Joe Willock has only started six Premier League matches and off the bench another eight times.

Stand out games few and far between in that time for Joe Willock. I remember he played well what starting in the 4-3 v West Ham last season, he came off the bench the final half hour and did well against Arsenal, introduced just before Anthony Gordon scored the winner, Willock it was who retrieved the ball BEFORE it went out and crossed for Joelinton and Gordon to do the rest.

However, maybe the Carabao Cup the two stand out performances in this time.

The 3-0 at Man U last season was quality, including a superb goal from Joe Willock.

Then this season, scoring within seconds at Forest and then quickly helping to set up Tonali for what should have been a second, only for the keeper to save. Willock’s surging forward runs seeing Forest totally unable to handle him.

Shame it only lasted 10 minutes!

Subbed off eventually on 15 minutes, thankfully that injury scare proving to be not serious.

However, it pretty much sums up these past 17 months for Joe Willock, Terrible luck with injuries and struggles to get fully fit AND stay fit.

After the 3-1 defeat at Fulham and shocking first half performance from the team, Eddie Howe admitted that he shouldn’t have started Joe Willock, as he’d been shown not to be ready just yet to be a Premier League starter again. Willock subbed off at half-time in that defeat.

Maybe though, today is the day, or very soon will be.

When Joe Willock is once again reintroduced to the starting eleven and stays there.

It is amazing how quickly we can all forget, or most of us anyway.

Joe Willock was an amazing player for Eddie Howe after the new boss arrived in November 2021 and indeed, in that top four season, Willock was involved in all 35 Premier League matches he was available for, starting 31 and coming off the bench in another four.

He was a key player and whilst he got three PL goals and six PL assists that 2022/23 season, that barely scratched the surface of just how much he was responsible for Newcastle United playing so well that season.

Ask any Newcastle United fan to name the team that should start against Brighton today and I would be surprised if anybody would name Joe Willock.

However, I think that when Eddie Howe judges it to be the right time, we could well quickly have our old Joe Willock back.

A fully fit one who can thrive when playing alongside the quality of players such as Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Isak, Gordon…

Joe Willock is versatile and capable of playing pretty much anywhere when fully fit and at his best.

Here’s hoping that best is just around the corner and he is back playing regularly again.’

A mentioned by the man from The Athletic and myself (the non-athletic man…), we have seen glimpses this season, against Forest and Wolves, of just how dynamic and important to Newcastle United, that Joe Willock can be.

Here’s hoping for both Newcastle United and Joe Willock, he can get himself into a position where he can deliver match after match once again.