According to The Telegraph, Joe Willock had been struggling to settle following a permanent move from London and has taken up more of Eddie Howe’s time than any other player.
The 22-year-old was effectively forced out of his boyhood club by Mikel Arteta and the report has revealed how he’s been battling problems in his personal life since securing a £25 million move in the summer.
Living in a secluded location in rural Northumberland, Willock has been hundreds of miles away from friends and family; being asked to live away from the city centre to avoid the distractions of Newcastle nightlife.
Worried how people would perceive him, the midfielder is believed to have hid his problems and didn’t speak to any of the coaches about his homesickness; which may explain why he’s often not looked himself until recently.
When playing well towards the end of last season, his form acted as a distraction and he was able to hide his struggles more often.
But when the form dropped and fans grew frustrated at his sub-par displays, it became increasingly more difficult for the Englishmen to conceal his emotions – some fans had felt his body language was a sign he wasn’t quite right.
Now, with the club’s full support and several one-to-one’s with Eddie Howe, Willock is said to be much happier in his on and off the pitch activities – and it shows after to back to back goals has left the midfielder playing with a smile on his face once again!
‘Sources have told Telegraph Sport that no player has occupied more of Howe’s time than Willock. The 22-year-old has been indulged, encouraged and comforted, but he has also been shown some “really tough love” too.
Telegraph Sport can reveal for the first time just how difficult things were for the former Arsenal midfielder, who was effectively forced out of his boyhood club by Mikel Arteta. He moved hundreds of miles away from his family and friends, living on his own in a rural, isolated location in Northumberland – a decision made when he was advised to avoid the distractions of Newcastle’s famous nightlife.
Willock has suffered from severe homesickness, silently at first, possibly because he was worried how it would be perceived, until coaching staff realised what was wrong and spoke to him about the upheaval in his personal life.
When things had gone well on the pitch, Willock had been able to hide his emotional discomfort at leaving London for the first time, but having made the move permanent when he belatedly accepted he was not going to play first team football for Arsenal if he stayed, the shock to the system crippled him. His form immediately suffered and fans slowly turned against him, mistakenly leaping to the conclusion his loan form had given a false impression of his ability while others took his poor body language and unhappiness as a sign he did not really want to play for the club.
There may have been some early misgivings, but Willock is far more settled and his happiness off the pitch, as well as Howe’s decision to challenge and, initially criticise him, has had the desired effect.’
“Eddie Howe is a brilliant manager…not only a brilliant manager, a brilliant person as well. He is a manager that we all trust and we are all buying into what he wants to do. A guy that I have a close relationship with, I’m really happy he is here and really happy how far he has taken us. Long may it continue.”
Willock has been visibly below par all season – more a physical than a mental issue.
He has looked off the pace and panting after each run up the pitch.
In the last couple of games he has looked better.
That said, it was suggested by a few people in the summer that a move north made no sense at all for him. The sensible move would have been to Brentford or Watford, then at least the lad could go home at nights and see his family.
He’s had a couple of good games but I wouldn’t expect him to repeat last year’s feat of 7 goals in a row.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
Any player can be home sick, but it helps if clubs assist in the settling in if players and recognise the difficulties. It is also good that a player also opens up , it is not something to be taken lightly. Management and players need to support and the fans will also give the support on the pitch. NUFC will under the new owners ,look after the players as it has been clear from the very start that they are in for the good of the club.
Stephen Robson(Quote)
Its tough for a young lad when he leaves home like this…I remember being a 16 year old who wanted to quit 3 times a week…Good luck to him and hope he comes out the other side.
BillyTheFish(Quote)