Joe Willock

[Happinesstan]

3 minutes ago, toontownman said:

Only just turned 23 too. 

 

We have been playing 

 

 Big Joe                Willock

             Longstaff 

 

Haven't we? When 

 

            Willock

Big Joe         Longstaff 

 

Probably works better for him but maybe not the team.

Yeah. I think so. Also the lack of Bruno has so much impact on our overall position on the pitch which probably affects his decision making. Similar with missing ASM and Wilson.

Like i said in the Jacob Murphy thread, he's young. He's enjoyed success in a particular role, but he's being asked to perform a different one, missing 2 out of the 3 attackers he would normally be playing with.

[The Prophet]

He was poor yesterday but he's been alright this season. He undoubtedly needs to add more output to his game (as does Joelinton), overall though, his contribution has been fine.

 

Some of the reactions have been over the top, but ideally he'll be replaced in due course. You could even stick Bruno as an eight and have Longstaff shielding the defence.

[nemtizz]

It's honestly tragic we don't have the depth to drop this bum.

[Donut]

Shockingly poor today. Can't finish, can't cross and laughable decision making.

[Sandrotastico]

Not sure he's the smartest lad. Seems to lack a football brain at times. He's an athlete but not sure he's a great footballer. File under Miggy.

[Stottie]

Arsenal played him in a DM-type holding role didn't they? Maybe they were right after all.

[nemtizz]

8 minutes ago, Stottie said:

Arsenal played him in a DM-type holding role didn't they? Maybe they were right after all.

 

He has good pressure on the ball but that's it in regards to being a 'DM'.

[NWMag]

Infuriated me today, so slow with his decision making. 
 

him and Almiron need upgrading on the first day of the window. 

[The Butcher]

Think he'd look so much better with a proper RW in front of him. 

[Klaus]

Would anyone consider playing him on the right of the front three? His best form for us l, came when he played in a more advanced position under bacon lips. He can't be any worse than Almiron and at least he is right footed.

 

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by Klaus

[Myleftboot]

Thought he played well today. Was popping up all over the pitch.

[Theregulars]

Not for me - sell at earliest opportunity.

[Holloway]

A closer look at him and that little wonder run looks a distant memory. His play seems to lack a purpose

[nufcjb]

I feel Willock is the sort of player that needs to be dropped once in a while to recharge his hunger and motivation. Try to manage that. Look how Son took it today.

 

To be fair, Willock found his form again last season after a few games being left out. Whether now is the time to drop him? Probably not on today's showing but for the past few games, then maybe yes. He is a good player no doubt but can also slow things down when he is not on-song.

 

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by nufcjb

[TRon]

4 hours ago, Oregon_Geordie said:

Not sure he's the smartest lad. Seems to lack a football brain at times. He's an athlete but not sure he's a great footballer. File under Miggy.

 

I thought he played quite clever stuff tbh, few dummies, some nice little through passes to the put Miggy into the channels, but his shooting was terrible. I think he pisses people off because he's doesn't challenge for 50/50 balls with full conviction. Ultimately the same problem as the other forwards, not doing enough to impact games despite running around non-stop.

[ExiledGeordie]

He isn’t good enough at the end of the day and will be a squad player at best next season. The worry is he just doesn’t look like scoring at all at the moment either.

[Shearergol]

We were absolutely fleeced by Arsenal, that’s for sure.

[nufc123]

4 minutes ago, Shearergol said:

We were absolutely fleeced by Arsenal, that’s for sure.

He kept us up so think the price was fair enough. Still young

[Beth]

I'd give him a go at RW. Can't be any worse than Almiron/Fraser/Murphy at the moment.

[Palestoon]

Problem with Willock is hes ok at everything but doesn't do anything really well. We need to replace him either with a true #10 who can get on the ball and consistently create for himself or others. Or, get a dedicated DM that would allow Bruno to play further forward, and allow Joelinton the free license to get around the pitch and cause havoc with his pressing and physicality 

[ExiledGeordie]

He just doesn’t impose himself on games at all. He looks good when everyone is playing well but he’s not enough of a difference maker in his own right. He’s made runs into the box previously but you don’t see that at the moment.

[Kanj]

He doesn’t shoot or pass with nearly any intention or composure. It’s all hope and hit or he’s taking ages to find a pass. First match of season he looked way more like his old self but hasn’t looked that way since. When he is getting a chance in the box he’s snatching at them and sky’ng over.

[TRon]

5 minutes ago, Kanji said:

He doesn’t shoot or pass with nearly any intention or composure. It’s all hope and hit or he’s taking ages to find a pass. First match of season he looked way more like his old self but hasn’t looked that way since. When he is getting a chance in the box he’s snatching at them and sky’ng over.

 

This is the time he would have been dropped if we had more options in midfield.

[Smal]

He is really not doing anything in games and it's an issue. We have lots of possession but the metrics you'd expect to be high for a midfielder are not. A select few:

 

Progressive passes per 90:

KT - 6.57

ASM - 6.32

Bruno - 5.00

Joelinton - 3.86

Longstaff - 3.78

Willock is way down the list with 1.72. 

 

Shot creating actions p/90:

ASM - 5.79

Bruno - 3.71

Longstaff - 2.95
Joelinton - 2.71

Willock is again way off with 1.72.

 

Carries p/90:

Bruno - 50

ASM - 43.2

Joelinton - 38

Longstaff - 35.1

Willock - 31.4

 

Lowest of all our midfielders in touches p/90 too. Look at his passing numbers across the PL this season so far. We are 8th in the league for average possession (50.7%) so there's no reason for them to be this bad:

 

 

 

Doesn't get on the ball and doesn't do anything when he does. I'd put Longstaff or Anderson in for him until Shelvey's back.

 

 

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by Smal

[Tiresias]

Yeah feels a passenger in the team currently, I am not sure he is suited to the team as is, if we are in counter attacking mode sure but it has been a long time since he has been in good form. We are so lacking in midfield and I know its maybe too soon but I would consider playing Anderson instead if he's fit (anyone know when he's back)