Analyst Kev Lawson has highlighted and confirmed that Joe Willock produced a very impressive statistic during Newcastle United’s latest victory.
In what was a less than enjoyable game for the neutrals, producing just three shots on target, Newcastle managed to pick up yet another very important three points, making it three wins in a row. However, this one seemed different given that Aston Villa were the first team they’ve beaten who were not inside the bottom six.
Will Eddie Howe keep Newcastle up?
Yes!
No!
While Dan Burn was declared Man of the Match on Sky Sports and Kieran Trippier got the winning goal, Joe Willock quietly went about his business as part of a midfield trio that kept the likes of Philippe Coutinho, John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia unable to affect proceedings as Steven Gerrard’s side drew a blank.
It wasn’t just his off-the-ball work that was impressive by keeping those players quiet, as he didn’t misplace a single pass in the entire game as he boasted a 100% pass completion, as Lawson confirmed.
TIF Thoughts on Willock…
While the £25 million midfielder has not hit the same kind of heights as he did last season when on loan from Arsenal – as he’s still yet to score this term – Eddie Howe clearly rates him as part of a midfield trio having started him in the club’s last three matches, which have all resulted in victories.
Bruno Guimaraes arrived for big money last month, and it appears to have sparked a fire in Willock as he now has genuine and top competition for his place in the starting lineup – but competition that he’s relishing.
In other news: Journalist claims Newcastle player is playing ‘massive’ role behind-scenes