The Joe Willock question | OneFootball

The Newcastle United victory over Ipswich Town saw one enforced change, Joe Willock replacing the injured Joelinton.

Some Newcastle United fans questioning why Lewis Miley didn’t start instead.

Eddie Howe clearly feeling Joe Willock was the best fit available for that position in this match.

Maybe also looking after 18 year old Lewis Miley for the longer-term.

Joe Willock has experienced some terrible luck with injuries and we saw him miss most of last season. This season he’s been injury free for the majority of it.

However, he has struggled for any sort of consistency this campaign, making 10 Premier League starts and 19 PL appearances from the bench.

A first choice player across the 2022/23 Premier League season when United finished fourth top, I don’t know whether or not he will once again hit those levels for Newcastle, or elsewhere for the matter.

I’m a big fan of his and two years ago he was a very good player in the making, that was class on his day.

Last season I felt was tough to judge him fairly, due to no pre-season, plagued by injuries, no real sustained run of games.

This season though, having started 15 games in all competitions and make numerous sub appearances, it pains me to say that Joe Willock at this moment in time, just isn’t the player he was.

I still think there’s a decent player in there, but as things stand he is now someone I’d deem an average middle of the table Premier League player, who is decent on his day, but we don’t see those days often enough now…

I wouldn’t go over the top in slagging Joe Willock off, nor indeed anyone else while they are playing for Newcastle United, I’ve learned in the past never to write off any players while Eddie Howe is around.

If there’s anyone capable of getting Willock back to somewhere near his best, it’s Eddie.

Some Newcastle United fans are desperate to see him sold, along with Sean Longstaff and one or two others. However, I don’t see the point in those sort of conversations until there’s actually interest in the player AND we see a midfielder arriving at the club to potentially take that squad space up.

I get accused of defending Joe Willock too much and giving him a free pass.

Would I sell Willock ? For the right money and a better player, yes, as I would with anyone else for that matter.

This season, Eddie Howe could easily have opted for Sean Longstaff or Lewis Miley when making changes to his starting eleven and bringing on subs, but most often it has been Joe Willock his first choice, when there’s an absence in midfield, or to change things round during games.

All we can do is to back Eddie Howe and the players he selects.

Whilst Joe Willock is at Newcastle United, as far as I’m concerned he’s one of us and deserves all the support we can give him.