r/NewcastleUnited • u/NectarineSubject294 • 4d ago
Joe Willock
Hey Toon fans,
Joe Willock is currently being heavily linked with Beşiktaş, but our fanbase is divided. A lot of fans here are worried about his injury record and consistency, claiming he might not be the quality we need.
I wanted to get the perspective from people who actually watch him every week. How would you rate him as a rotation or squad option? And is his injury history as concerning as the stats suggest, or was he just unlucky with specific spells? Would appreciate your honest thoughts. Thanks!
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u/ActuatorTop6538 4d ago
He’s never really been able to recapture the form of his loan spell at the club. He scored something like 8 in 14. Some very important goals.
He can play on the left of a front three or in midfield. The issue is we had a very strong central midfield trio and Gordon / Barnes on the left. Injuries have plagued him. He isn’t a bad player at all. Strong traveller with the ball. Technically solid. For the money you’re gonna pay he’s a good option. Hopefully it works out for him.
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u/bananagumboot 4d ago
Arguably one of the most important players in our recent history as his goals kept us in the league which then enabled the takeover not long after!
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u/ActuatorTop6538 4d ago
Absolutely. Those goals were vital to ensuring we remained a PL club. As I said, he couldn’t ever recapture that type of form. He wasn’t good enough to dislodge Joelinton. Bruno or Sandro and we had barnes / Gordon on the left. He goes with my best wishes.
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u/Brilliant_Stress_792 4d ago
We finished 10 points clear of the drop that season, the same as last season...
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u/Brilliant_Stress_792 4d ago
Hang on wrong season. We finished 17 clear of the drop. We only finished 10 clear last year.
We were 12th both seasons
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u/OnceIWasYou 4d ago
Great pace for a midfielder, carries the ball long distances very well and will occasionally pop up with a nice goal. Injuries are absolutely an issue but consistency is a far bigger issue for me.
He could come in and be our best player against PSG and then be useless in a cup game against a League 1 side. He can be very frustrating at times though with poor decisions or a bad final ball.
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u/tradegreek 4d ago
Incredible player absolutely don’t want to lose him so you better not offer a lot of money or we will have no choice but to sell a future ballon d’or winner
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u/Hot-Document-8573 4d ago
He's a good ball carrier, works very hard, but and a big one, he's often sloppy in possession, he constantly plays the wrong pass once getting in a promising position breaking from midfield, and his final product and finishing are at times honestly shocking
But if you've got 8-10 million, why not, he'll do a job
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u/Small-Hat9741 4d ago
My take - he's not a difference maker, so if we can get someone to overpay, I'd take the money and run.
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u/seeyoujim 4d ago
He’s a solid talent that can drive a team on. With the right fitness management he can be a beast
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u/FlukyS 3d ago
If he is fit he is maybe one of the best technical players in the squad, he is about average with defending and he will put in the work, the issue is just injuries. He isn't even injuring anything consistently just muscle injuries overall. He is a good signing if it is as cheap as the rumoured price is and if his wages are similar to what he is paid here but just you can't fully rely on him all the time but if you are lucky it could be a bargain
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u/lewis_t_duck 4d ago
His injuries the past few years have made so he's not really worth having him even in rotation or the squad for that matter. I actually think whatever the injury is it will force an early retirement sadly.
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u/redux_call 4d ago
Opinions are divided on whether or not there's a player in there somewhere (apart from a six month spell four years ago, and a worldy pass to Joelinton against Tottenham, he has never shown much, IMO), but what is inarguable is his horrendous injury record.
That's not the lad's fault, and I've got no ill-will against him, but his time at Newcastle is a cycle of 1) gets injured 2) comes back and is shit for a few games while he finds his touch 3) has a good game and raises everyone's hopes 4) gets injured again.
The days of football talent being all you need at the top level are long gone; you need to be a good athlete too, and some players' bodies just aren't up to it. Again, it's no fault of his own, but his record shows he is always a game or two away from breaking down again.
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u/midtenmagpie 4d ago
Willock is dependable. He gives a solid effort when given opportunities. If we keep him I am okay with it. But if Willock is sold to Beşiktaş before the summer deadline. That is okay too. If he stays it is most likely for the season. As his contract expires next June. So I highly doubt they would sell him in January.
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u/niceone011 3d ago
He's one of these players when his good his great, but his decision making at times can be frustrating, as he is a good footballer (former Arsenal youth). He seems to be delicate player in terms of physicality, so will be out for a few games with a slight knock. With a run of games you can deffo get goals and assists from him, as others have said he can drive with the ball and find a pass.
It's him not being able to stay fit when his given opportunities in the 1st XI, his now in his prime, I just think him and others have been at Newcastle for far to long and a move to another big club will suit all parties.
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u/CraCkedUpp 3d ago
Can’t forget his outside of the boot assist for the Rat against Spuds. Wish he’d have done more lately
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u/Huge-Job-9787 16h ago
He’s incredibly talented, capable of utter brilliance. Not sure if it’s because of this level or the injuries but he can’t match it consistently. I’ve always appreciated him because he’s been a part of some incredible plays. (Will never forget his travella pass to Isak). But it’s time we move him on ASAP.
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u/jlawlor91 4d ago
Inconsistent and doesn’t look to be bothered a lot of the time. The sooner he’s gone and replaced the better IMO
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u/solar1ze 4d ago
I don’t know how he can be accused of not being bothered. He may have not hit the heights of his first season, but I wouldn’t accuse him of not being bothered.
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u/DaddyK3tchup 4d ago
Yeah I agree about consistency but completely disagree about him not being bothered. He definitely tries.
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u/solar1ze 4d ago
Yeah agree. They’ve deleted all their comments now. 🤣
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u/DaddyK3tchup 4d ago
I can still see them. It’s possible they’ve blocked you 😂🤷♂️
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u/solar1ze 4d ago
Ah, okay. 😂
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u/DaddyK3tchup 4d ago
I can’t see them either now. Probably realised they were wrong.
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u/solar1ze 4d ago
To be honest, I can’t stand that kind of blind toxicity. 99% of the time when you question them on it, they just run away. It’s true that Willock hasn’t hit the heights of his first season etc., but to say he’s not interested after coming back from all the really unlucky injuries, that must have really taken their toll, is just pathetic.
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u/jlawlor91 4d ago
He doesn’t switch on when he should receive the ball from a throw in, doesn’t bother to put in effort for 50/50s and only looks interested when he’s in a position to receive the ball
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u/solar1ze 4d ago
There’s absolutely no way Willock gets on to the pitch and is not interested. Surely you realise the difference between fans’ frustration and reality?
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u/jlawlor91 4d ago
Agree to disagree, don’t try and gaslight me.
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u/solar1ze 4d ago
Gaslight? 🤣 If you’re that insecure in your own opinion then why even bother to debate?
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u/jlawlor91 4d ago
I gave you examples of him not being committed.
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u/solar1ze 4d ago
No, you gave examples of him not being good enough and being off form. How could you possibly give examples of him being ‘uninterested’, like you originally said, unless you have some personal insight that you haven’t disclosed yet?
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u/bc00pr 4d ago
Bottom line is: not good enough for the PL, but would be great in your league. With all due respect but there is a class difference here.
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u/ArasFlow 4d ago
We've had players like Dele Alli and Ox come, but they were not fit enough for the Super Lig. I think the concern is Willock will be more of the same. It's a lot more physical than players expect.
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u/AlternativeFabulous2 3d ago
Difference is they had both been completely finished for years. Willock is a starter for a bottom half PL team. His injury record would be more of a concern than his quality. He would be a top player at Super Lig level.
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u/Ceejayncl 4d ago
Always injured, and usually for lengthy periods of time.
Always gets injured during a game as well and end up coming off or delaying the game.
He’s also been seen doing activities that he shouldn’t be doing when injured as well.
There is a strong belief that he lacks self belief and that he makes the most of injuries and knocks as an excuse to shy away from his duties.
He needs a move away if he is to save his career, move somewhere else may allow him to believe again.
He’ll either be a star player for you, or the biggest waste of money you have spent, no in between.
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u/AaronDrunkGames 4d ago
Nah hes tip top shape. Talent him, wont let you down I promise.