Joe Willock has not trained yet but is making 'good progress' (Howe)

[TRon]

He didn't do much initially for us last season either, then he hit a purple spell at the close of the season. He's a good player IMO, got a lot of qualities. He's another one I would trust a good manager to get some mileage from. If nothing else he would be one hell of a player to have on the bench. 

[HaydnNUFC]

I personally want more from him. Still absolutely love the lad, but do think he can contribute more.

[Thiago]

I think we have to forget what he did last season. He scored a boat load of goals and looked like a Ferrari surrounded by Fiats. Truth is we didn't control games at all at that point and he - like Saint Maximin - was just finding the game and making the most of it. 

 

I'd like to see a bit more conditioning with him. He still looks a yard slower and softer than last season, but I think having him float around midfield could be a nice compliment to Shelvey sitting deeper and picking passes.

[Aiston]

Terrible first half but an improved second half.

 

He shouldn't be with Shelvey in a midfield two though, they just don't work.

[Lush Vlad]

Still think he is good on the ball going forward and his late runs into the box offer us something that nobody else brings from that position. 
 

He seems shit scared to put a foot in or challenge for a header, though. Considering he plays centre mid, that’s unacceptable. 
 

I still really like him. But feels shoehorned into the team at the minute. The 2 of him and Shelvey leaves us massively exposed. Lost count of the time and hooked clearance or random hoof up the pitch would land straight on a Burnley player’s foot. The space between the back 4 and midfield was huge. 

[Consortium of one]

Let's see what we have after the Bruce gets knocked out of him.

[arnonel]

His passing and decision making is poor, but I put that down to confidence

 

He is amazing with the ball at his feet though. Quite a few forward runs into space, which was great

[TRon]

On 05/12/2021 at 14:04, Lush Vlad said:

Still think he is good on the ball going forward and his late runs into the box offer us something that nobody else brings from that position. 
 

He seems shit scared to put a foot in or challenge for a header, though. Considering he plays centre mid, that’s unacceptable. 
 

I still really like him. But feels shoehorned into the team at the minute. The 2 of him and Shelvey leaves us massively exposed. Lost count of the time and hooked clearance or random hoof up the pitch would land straight on a Burnley player’s foot. The space between the back 4 and midfield was huge. 

 

He does some good stuff going forwards, and he does make excellent runs into the box, but one of those times where he bottled a 50-50 almost cost us a goal. Ultimately that side of his game is why Arsenal let him go, I hope Howe can get him to take more responsibility in that regard. Otherwise he'll end up being moved on again. 

[Yorkie]

Literally the exact same story as Kenedy here, like.

 

Turning out to be an absolutely terrible signing at £25million and absolutely Bruce-era-ariffic. No real thought to whether or not it was the right signing or where he'd actually fit. Just an assumption that he'd carry on scoring every week. 

 

Nowt more inevitable than this lad's form totally nosediving. Needs removing from the team ASAP tbh. 

[BlueStar]

HIs transformation reminds me of Kennedy.

[Amir_9]

He's been given more than enough time to find form and has fluffed it. Really shouldn't even be starting but a shame that the other options are also shit.

[Barnes23]

He should be dropped for sure, but he's also being played in the wrong position. No way is he a functional CM as part of a 2. 

[Pilko]

He's crap. Flash in the pan

[LRD]

Should never be part of a midfield two.

[nufcjb]

He can fuck right off. Been useless all season. 0 goals, 0 assist.

[Hanshithispantz]

No idea why he's even in the side. We're short of options but you can put literally any other player, including Karl Darlo, in his place and we'll be no worse off.

[Guest HTT II]

He won’t even get goals in the Championship next season based on these performances.

[Holmesy]

Drop him, he’s been crap all season. There’s a good player in there but we can’t afford to allow him time to play himself into form in the first team. 

[Guest HTT II]

He can fuck off like, giving a simple ball away and they score.

[Minhosa]

Gutless cunt. Give him back to Arsenal tbh. 

[The Merse]

Not bringing anything to the team except the odd colback foul near our penalty box - not the only poor performer today but dear me he looks half arsed to be there

[Newcastle Fan]

Awful awful awful, i would even have Hendrick ahead of him on this form, he's not supposed to play in that sort of position, nor should we play a midfield with not one player that can help the defense out.

[robbo_11]

He needs to be taken out of the team, just not good enough this season.

[Kid Icarus]

Totally understand if Howe's playing some sort of game to try and get the best out of him, but I've got absolutely no idea what that might be and at the moment it's definitely not working. How he was still on the pitch beyond 45 minutes let alone at the end is beyond me. Shelvey came off but put in far more work than Willock did, which says it all considering Shelvey's limitations.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2021 by kisearch

[Sifu]

Today has definitely confirmed that Willock prefers more time and space/freedom to function as a competent footballer, he clearly can't handle additional responsibilities in a two man midfield and just panics on and off the ball. It's actually got to a point where you can see Shelvey covering for Willock's deficiencies and that speaks volumes.

 

Time to take him out of the team and put Hayden in (certainly for the next 3 matches). 

 

What a bitter disappointment he's turning out to be.