Joe Willock

[Lotus]

Willock is a talented footballer with great athleticism. If he’s having an unlucky period with injuries I think we wait it out. 
Cast our minds back to the outside of the foot pass to Isak, dreamy stuff.

Also can’t forget him constantly busting his gut to get back for one box to the other and nick the ball off an opposing attacker.

So, skill, speed, stamina and a great attitude. These are top drawer attributes. 
He’s having a rough patch for sure. He’s worth waiting for though. 

[Ikon]

Just now, Lotus said:

Willock is a talented footballer with great athleticism. If he’s having an unlucky period with injuries I think we wait it out. 
Cast our minds back to the outside of the foot pass to Isak, dreamy stuff.

Also can’t forget him constantly busting his gut to get back for one box to the other and nick the ball off an opposing attacker.

So, skill, speed, stamina and a great attitude. These are top drawer attributes. 
He’s having a rough patch for sure. He’s worth waiting for though. 

That was a lovely pass. But how often does he make a pass anywhere near that? It’s not like he has made plenty of good throughballs consistently.

[andycap]

This is the lad that I'd shift could get a good fee for him aswell. 

I like the lad but we can't get a few games from him nowadays without an injury occurring. 

[Lotus]

As with all our players, if we can sell them and buyer a player of at least the same impact, preferably more, for less money and enhance the dressing room togetherness than I’m all for it.

I think Willock when firing on all cylinders is a rare combination of attributes. 
He’s had a rough 18 months. If we’re still still waiting for him to get a good run of games in the next 12 months I’d understand planning to replace him.

 

[80]

Looks like 2.5 years left on his contract? We're gonna have to make a plan on his future one way or another.

 

Unfortunately, what we might gain in value from him being injury free next season, we'd lose on his deal approaching expiry, so there might not be much point in waiting around.

[Lush Vlad]

I know it helps with his pace. But I wish Willock would stop playing in roller blades this season. 

[KingArthur]

He seems not fit or lacking confidence. Weak in duels especially even with fresh legs.

[Rafalove]

He’s a good player, but I wonder if his constant injury problems are playing on his mind.

[Ikon]

14 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

He seems not fit or lacking confidence. Weak in duels especially even with fresh legs.

Should be able to walk/run one would think…

[Collage]

His injury record is the only problem, and it's a big one

[nufcjmc]

I am just not impressed he's sloppy and easy to brush off the ball. With his pace he should be stretching teams but all I see is non existent performances. Hope it's rust or niggles but he's running out of time to impress. 

[Newcastle Fan]

He's struggled a bit between last season and this one with constant injuries and not being able to maintain a run of games, but i still think he's a good asset for the club, i definitely prefer him or Miley coming in our midfield than Longstaff and his energy in midfield helps a lot at times.

[Unbelievable]

Lil’ Joe needs a run of games to get back to his best. Unfortunately he’s too injury prone to get a run of games going, and we have better options in the squad for his position(s), so if we can get a decent fee for him I think the summer would be a good time to sell and replace.

[Checko]

Interesting he came on the wing, though they might move big Jow out there and keep Willock CM (or did Jow come off for Miley at the same time?)

 

Looks like he might need to be wing cover now with Barnes injured and Miggy potentially going. That opens up more chances for Miley to get some time at CM.

[TRon]

11 hours ago, nufcjmc said:

I am just not impressed he's sloppy and easy to brush off the ball. With his pace he should be stretching teams but all I see is non existent performances. Hope it's rust or niggles but he's running out of time to impress. 

 

 

Being brushed off the ball is not really an issue for me, he was never the most physical player. But I am concerned how often he gives up possession just through a loose touch or not dealing with the press. He's been fit for a while now, should not look as rusty as he does.

[Thumbheed]

Said it before, he's a good player but someone we can and should improve on. 

 

The pace and power he has that break through lines is fantastic - when it comes off - but he's just not consistent enough with it to warrant a place in a side that is on an upwards projectory to the top, especially when you compare it to the likes of big Joe and Bruno who are consistently doing it most if not almost every game and agaisnt other top midfielders in the game who can offer 8/10 performances almost every game. 

 

 

[kingxlnc]

Just now, Thumbheed said:

Said it before, he's a good player but someone we can and should improve on. 

 

The pace and power he has that break through lines is fantastic - when it comes off - but he's just not consistent enough with it to warrant a place in a side that is on an upwards projectory to the top, especially when you compare it to the likes of big Joe and Bruno who are consistently doing it most if not almost every game and agaisnt other top midfielders in the game who can offer 8/10 performances almost every game. 

 

 

Agreed needs to go in summer. 
 

Miley is next sub on now. Willock is 5th choice and Longstaff 6th.

 

Wouldnt mind replacing 5th and 6th choices with some new options. 

[kingxlnc]

Looking at Forest wouldn’t mind one of their underused players in CM backup such as Sangare or Danilo or Dominguez 

[Tiresias]

Unfortunately that same injury record also limits how much we will get for him. Feel for the lad as his ceiling is high but getting there is difficult. I always feel he needs a run of games every time he comes back before he gets to his best and he's just unlikely to get the minutes without Gordon or Joelinton being injured. 

[JP]

Likeable and plenty of ability but no place for him in the squad any more i'm afraid. He needs regular games to build up that robust match fitness and he's not going to get it here as a) he doesn't get in our best 11 and b) unfortunately he picks up way too many niggles/muscle injuries.

 

Could easily see him sold in summer. Being available regularly is a huge attribute in footballers.

 

[AJ9]

Would be an excellent player for a promoted side next year. Shift him in summer if we can.

[Holloway]

subbing him on is ineffective for the most part as he seems to need to feel his way into a game. He's in an awkward place as he won't get many starts barring a few injuries. Probably decision time come the summer

[NEEJ]

Often plays like he's wearing rollerskates. When he's on form he's a real asset, but does seem to take a while to get going. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

He’s one I would sell to bring in a more technical midfielder. Someone like Bergvall but left footed, good technique and smooth movement. 
 

I don’t mind Willock but I can’t see him being a key part of the squad or team. 

[NWMag]

I feel like us as a team/club are in a similar position now as to what Arsenal were when they sold him to us. He was only young at that point but I wouldn’t say he has progressed to the same level, so as he wasn’t up to it for Arsenal at that time, I feel it’s the same situation with us now, which is unfortunate as I do like him.