It has been a crazy turnaround for Joe Willock in the last couple of months but the midfielder is enjoying his football on Tyneside once again
Joe Willock celebrates with his Newcastle team-mates after scoring against Hull City
Newcastle United’s rejuvenated star Joe Willock has revealed the secret of his Toon turnaround after swapping the transfer list for a major role under Matthias Jaissle.
Willock scored just one goal in 39 appearances last season but has three on the board already after firing Newcastle into a third-minute lead against Hull City on Saturday in front of a full house at St James’ Park. It gave Newcastle the platform to double their lead through England full-back Lewis Hall, and while Newcastle were hanging on when former Paris St-Germain youngster Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back, Willock felt it proved the Magpies have great spirit just days after being mauled by Leeds 4-1.
For Willock, his elevation to goalscoring hero from being in the departure lounge during the transfer window has been a rapid return to the limelight. Just days before Jaissle arrived, he was due to sign for Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas.
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Willock spoke of the secret of his success in front of goal, and said: “I’ve been practicing with the left foot.
“My Dad told me to start shooting more. So I told him: ‘Dad I’ll start shooting more.’ So he’ll be happy! Dads are always right!”
Willock had been in and out Eddie Howe’s team last season as the Magpies slumped to 12th place but is hoping to use his second chance at Newcastle under a new manager to help lift the team to bigger and better this time around.
The former Arsenal youngster said to PLP: “I’m really enjoying my football right now – I need to play and celebrate with arrogance and show people what I can do.
“It was a difficult season last year – but I was happy to stay here and show what I can do.”
Newcastle United’s Joe Willock celebrates his goal against Hull City(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Operating as one of Jaissle’s two holding midfielders, Willock delivered on a day when £51million man Matias Fernandez-Pardo got through 74 minutes with just a blocked shot to show for his efforts.
The 2-1 win over Hull meant that Newcastle signed off for the international break on a high and Jaissle’s side showed that the 4-1 loss to Leeds an early season blip.
Willock said: “This was a good reaction from Monday night. The first half was excellent, but we should never have let them back in the game. “It was a lesson to stay focused.”
Newcastle also achieved the win without Dan Burn, Amar Dedic, Anthony Elanga, Nico Gonzalez, Ewen Jaouen, Joelinton, Tino Livramento, William Osula and Jacob Ramsey. A clutch of those stars will be back next month when Newcastle’s season resumes on October 12 with a Monday night game away to Coventry.
Jaissle said afterwards: “It was an intense game. We started at a really high level, it was the right reaction to Leeds. But the missed penalty changed momentum.
“We tired and we needed to suffer, but the commitment to win this game was exceptional. It made me proud. It was something special.
“I am really proud and I want to show (players) respect for what they did at the end of the game when it was tough.”To defend their own box, everyone was committed and really fighting for the three points. This is something we can count on.”