Joe Willock

[Pearljam10]

23 minutes ago, Paully said:

 

Sums up Willock's body language over the past three seasons

[Kid Icarus]

2 minutes ago, r0cafella said:

It's just the half assed, can barely be bothered vibe which will get to people isn't it?

 

Obviously Bruno was shocking yesterday, and asking to come off is remarkable and makes me question his leadership tbh. (Still love him but big yikes from me)

I dunno, it just seems like a weird thing to hone in on in those circumstances. He'd have probably been better off just doing nothing.

 

We've seen some truly disgraceful players over the years in terms of effort, so seeing players out of this lot (new signings not included) get stick for it is sad to see.

[TheBrownBottle]

1 hour ago, Kid Icarus said:

I dunno, it just seems like a weird thing to hone in on in those circumstances. He'd have probably been better off just doing nothing.

 

We've seen some truly disgraceful players over the years in terms of effort, so seeing players out of this lot (new signings not included) get stick for it is sad to see.

In KK’s autobiography he recollects an incident where Arthur Cox gave Mike Hooper some pointed advice.  Hooper had done one of his patented ‘stand rooted and watch the ball fly in’ actions and the crowd had got on his back - Hooper was grumbling about it, and Cox pointed out to him that what the SJP crowd requires is for him to make the effort to dive.  More pertinently, he should do this even if he knows he can’t get to the ball, because they’ll forgive a player not being able to stop it, but won’t forgive the perception that they haven’t attempted to do so.

 

The implication was also that not all football crowds react in the same way to this sort of thing.

 

Personally, I like Willock, and I think injuries rather than a shit attitude have likely finished him at NUFC.  But I also think that sometimes you make the effort even if it isn’t going to make a difference - because to the punters who pay (part of) your wages, it absolutely does. 

 

 

Edited May 25 by TheBrownBottle

[lovejoy]

Just now, TheBrownBottle said:

In KK’s autobiography he recollects an incident where Arthur Cox gave Mike Hooper some pointed advice.  Hooper had done one of his patented ‘stand rooted and watch the ball fly in’ actions and the crowd had got on his back - Hooper was grumbling about it, and Cox pointed out to him that what the SJP requires is for him to make the effort to dive.  More pertinently, he should do this even if he knows he can’t get to the ball, because they’ll forgive a player not being able to stop it, but won’t forgive the perception that they haven’t attempted to do so.

 

The implication was also that not all football crowds react in the same way to this sort of thing.

 

Personally, I like Willock, and I think injuries rather than a shit attitude have likely finished him at NUFC.  But I also think that sometimes you make the effort even if it isn’t going to make a difference - because to the punters who pay (part of) your wages, it absolutely does. 

Yep.

[Kid Icarus]

8 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

In KK’s autobiography he recollects an incident where Arthur Cox gave Mike Hooper some pointed advice.  Hooper had done one of his patented ‘stand rooted and watch the ball fly in’ actions and the crowd had got on his back - Hooper was grumbling about it, and Cox pointed out to him that what the SJP crowd requires is for him to make the effort to dive.  More pertinently, he should do this even if he knows he can’t get to the ball, because they’ll forgive a player not being able to stop it, but won’t forgive the perception that they haven’t attempted to do so.

 

The implication was also that not all football crowds react in the same way to this sort of thing.

 

Personally, I like Willock, and I think injuries rather than a shit attitude have likely finished him at NUFC.  But I also think that sometimes you make the effort even if it isn’t going to make a difference - because to the punters who pay (part of) your wages, it absolutely does. 

 

 

 

Yeah that's a fair point, but it does also make you wonder why that's been singled out, when he was nowhere near the play, and not Bruno's non-existent attempt to track his runner, who then scored. Reputations preceding them I guess.

 

 

Edited May 25 by Kid Icarus

[r0cafella]

5 minutes ago, Kid Icarus said:

Yeah that's a fair point, but it does also make you wonder why that's been singled out, when he was nowhere near the play, and not Bruno's non-existent attempt to track his runner, who then scored. Reputations preceding them I guess.

 

 

 

Same reason why yourself and many others are happy to be patient with Eddie id imagine. 

[TRon]

19 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

In KK’s autobiography he recollects an incident where Arthur Cox gave Mike Hooper some pointed advice.  Hooper had done one of his patented ‘stand rooted and watch the ball fly in’ actions and the crowd had got on his back - Hooper was grumbling about it, and Cox pointed out to him that what the SJP crowd requires is for him to make the effort to dive.  More pertinently, he should do this even if he knows he can’t get to the ball, because they’ll forgive a player not being able to stop it, but won’t forgive the perception that they haven’t attempted to do so.

 

The implication was also that not all football crowds react in the same way to this sort of thing.

 

Personally, I like Willock, and I think injuries rather than a shit attitude have likely finished him at NUFC.  But I also think that sometimes you make the effort even if it isn’t going to make a difference - because to the punters who pay (part of) your wages, it absolutely does. 

 

 

 

 

 

I like Willock as well, I think he's actually a very skilful footballer. But yesterday was just another example of him threatening so much and delivering nothing. It's not one poor season any more, it's been consistent every season other than his first here on loan. 

 

 

[Groundhog63]

Usual shit crack, whipping boy (ironic) stuff tbf.

 

Granted, lazily sticking his leg out like that was pointless but only because he had, absolutely, zero chance of getting the ball. 

 

As for the not trying garbage? Yep, totally not trying when he robbed Pablo then 1-2'd with Osula for our third. A mere 7 days ago.

 

Yesterday was a shit show by all concerned.

[TheBrownBottle]

13 minutes ago, Kid Icarus said:

Yeah that's a fair point, but it does also make you wonder why that's been singled out and not Bruno's non-existent attempt to track his runner. Reputations preceding them I guess.

Agreed, and it isn't the first time in recent matches that Bruno has done that.  The optics weren't great re Willock's actions, and I guess to many folks they've simply ran out of patience with him.  I've got sympathy for him both generally and on this particular incident - though my original point stands.

[TopL0ader]

I just don't like how Wissa and Willock warm up for a start or half time kick the ball around. It looks awful when you compare them to Burn and Murphy who actually look like they have a purpose to the pre match or half time warm up. 

 

Willock plays the exact same way he warms up. This isn't a massive criticism of him it's just his style, I can recall at Ipswich last season watching the team arrive and enter the pitch all chatting but Willock had headphones on looking down at his phone. 

 

He clearly is a flat line lad that never gets excited, emotional or depressed. Kinda commendable in today's world to be level but he looks lazy on a pitch. 

[huss9]

he needs to go, but weird to single him out yesterday.

think he was the only one who actually had a decent crack at goal.

 

my hero Bruno  was awful.

 

the whole midfield set up was a mess.

 

 

 

Edited May 25 by huss9

[Optimistic Nut]

2 hours ago, Pearljam10 said:

Sums up Willock's body language over the past three seasons

 

Don't see an issue here? If he just stands and does nothing noone says a thing as the ball's nowhere near him, but because he raises a leg, it's lazy? Jesus fucking Christ man, I know he's been crap but people love to pick. 

[Holloway]

42 minutes ago, TopL0ader said:

I just don't like how Wissa and Willock warm up for a start or half time kick the ball around. It looks awful when you compare them to Burn and Murphy who actually look like they have a purpose to the pre match or half time warm up. 

 

Willock plays the exact same way he warms up. This isn't a massive criticism of him it's just his style, I can recall at Ipswich last season watching the team arrive and enter the pitch all chatting but Willock had headphones on looking down at his phone. 

 

He clearly is a flat line lad that never gets excited, emotional or depressed. Kinda commendable in today's world to be level but he looks lazy on a pitch. 

Good points, I think that nonchalant carriage is his natural style and sometimes mistaken for half arsed application, but any sort of seperation from the group preparation like you mentioned should be observed and discouraged, it doesn't look very professional, along with the lack of urgency in the warm ups, it's been increasingly noticed of late.

Personally I want him gone, he was a real asset for a good spell and delivering consistently, but the significant injuries have evidently caught up with him and he is reduced to showing only brief glimpses of quality during long periods of doing fuck all worthwhile.

That incident highlighted from yesterday is nothing imo, he just stuck his leg out in case the ball came anywhere near him.

[kingxlnc]

Willock is also notoriously late to training sessions

 

says a lot about his professionalism

[nufc123]

2 hours ago, huss9 said:

he needs to go, but weird to single him out yesterday.

I think a lot was about his "effort" on the goal.

[tgarve]

1 hour ago, kingxlnc said:

Willock is also notoriously late to training sessions

 

says a lot about his professionalism

Wissa said he’s the best trainer at the club . Not the best recommendation 

[Viana]

I think instead of picking over the bones of how he defends free kicks, I'd rather just accept it's best if we both move on. 

 

I don't view him as a regular starter, and I don't think he performs well as an impact sub. He's not scored a league goal for two seasons, and yet that was one of his biggest assets when he joined under Steve Bruce. A move back to London feels like it would be a great refresh for him and for us. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I just don’t think he has a position and never have. He was good under Bruce because his job was just to get in the box and win matches for us.

 

He’ll never be tidy enough to be a central midfielder in this league. 
 

I can see him occupying a freer role in a team with lower ambitions I guess. But even for Fulham he’s quite far away from the likes of Iwobi and Wilson. 

[The Larch]

He's an absolutely dreadful player because he just doesn't have the right attitude. 

 

There have been too many times when he just stops playing, rather than behaving like a footballer and trying to win the ball back when things dont go to plan.

 

Yesterday was a prime example. He lazily swung a let out to stop the ball, then he saw it hit the crossbar and was slowly plodding backwards away from our goal rather than being ready for the rebound. He just doesnt have the right mentality.

[Deuce]

I’ve never previously gotten the sense that Willock is unprofessional. 
 

We don’t seem to be happy with any of our players at the moment, which should tell you something.

[JonBez comesock]

1 hour ago, The Larch said:

He's an absolutely dreadful player because he just doesn't have the right attitude. 

 

There have been too many times when he just stops playing, rather than behaving like a footballer and trying to win the ball back when things dont go to plan.

 

Yesterday was a prime example. He lazily swung a let out to stop the ball, then he saw it hit the crossbar and was slowly plodding backwards away from our goal rather than being ready for the rebound. He just doesnt have the right mentality.

Always injured as well 

 

Plus his nose steams with snot during matches (😪

[BigValley]

This gl(ass) gone?

[robbo_11]

3 hours ago, The Larch said:

He's an absolutely dreadful player because he just doesn't have the right attitude. 

 

There have been too many times when he just stops playing, rather than behaving like a footballer and trying to win the ball back when things dont go to plan.

 

Yesterday was a prime example. He lazily swung a let out to stop the ball, then he saw it hit the crossbar and was slowly plodding backwards away from our goal rather than being ready for the rebound. He just doesnt have the right mentality.

 

The reality is we will see him leave this summer, most likely to Crystal Palace. However I'd sharper look at Bruno and Thiaw who also switched off rather than single out Willock for their first goal. 

 

He isn't good enough for where we want to be, but the truth is we've finished 12th because the overall standard of the squad this season was about that level.

[Conjo]

On 25/05/2026 at 12:44, kingxlnc said:

Willock is also notoriously late to training sessions

 

says a lot about his professionalism

 

Paraphrasing a bit since I can't remember exactly what he said, but Howe was talking about players needing to show commitment to the team during a period where Willock was injury free and out of the team.

A few weeks after, Willock was starting to get time on the pitch again, and a bit later than again Eddie was praising him in a press conference for his commitment.

 

So my educated guess is that he WAS late for training, but he has shown personal growth and isn't anymore.

[RUHRLYASLEEVESUP]

He’s not leaving, praise de lard 

 

Joe Willock has looked to silence whispers linking him with a summer move away from Newcastle United. In a chat with NUFC TV, the midfielder shut down exit talk by referencing his plans for next season a whopping four times. Now sitting on 168 appearances, the former Arsenal man is eyeing his double century for the Magpies in the 2026/27 campaign. Willock’s reassurance arrives after a frustrating 12th-place finish. A brutal season saw Newcastle suffer 17 defeats—including two derby losses—triggering a heavy fan backlash. With David Hopkinson admitting players may need to be sold to boost Eddie Howe’s transfer kitty under financial rules, Willock was linked with an exit. However, he sounds ready to commit to a sixth year at St. James' Park. Looking past a shocking final-day show at Fulham, Willock outlined the squad's mindset: "People are going to the World Cup, and some people are having a break. From there, have a break but full focus on coming back next season and coming back in the best possible way and look to next season." With no European football on the menu, Eddie Howe and his troops can focus solely on the domestic front. Despite a tense mood on Tyneside and some fans calling for a change in the dugout, Willock believes the adversity has forged a stronger bond & he’s looking for more England caps, take penalties & throw ins. "This season has brought us closer together. We have had to dig deep at certain times in the season. It has been quite difficult some days but next season it is going to be good. It is has been a big learning curve and next season we can push on and put things behind us." He is generating a lot of interest. Will he stay or go?