Newcastle United are not guaranteed Champions League football just yet.
Indeed, while the fact Newcastle United took a point from Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday is hardly a negative, results elsewhere complicate matters in pursuit of Champions League qualification.
All of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Chelsea won this weekend. Now, Eddie Howe’s side sit only three points ahead of Nottingham Forest and Villa in sixth and seventh place respectively in what is a congested Premier League table.
Newcastle certainly weren’t at their best on Sunday, though Brighton are of course a good team who boast a fine home record against the Toon Army.
Still, not all too many players covered themselves in glory and supporters online were rather scathing about Joe Willock.
Newcastle United fans blast Joe Willock after Brighton draw
Willock was booked for diving against Brighton and did little else notable on his second consecutive start.
With Joelinton injured, the former Arsenal player got the nod ahead of Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff but did not exactly convince fans online.
“Willock had the chance to step up and he didn’t. Miley from now on,” added another fan.
Another comment read: “Lewis Miley better start next week for NUFC.”
“Miley has to start over Willock against Chelsea. Willock just not at it,” said another.
Eddie Howe must consider Joe Willock U-turn ahead of Newcastle United vs Chelsea
Eddie Howe was full of praise for Willock before the Brighton game but surely did not see enough to warrant handing him another start.
That’s not to suggest Willock can’t play a vital role in the final three games, or that he’s suddenly become a terrible player. Clearly, that’s not the case but the margins are very tight in the battle for a Champions League berth.
Miley and Longstaff deserve a chance. Willock didn’t take his. His Newcastle career is far from over and the number of injuries he’s suffered with no doubt offer mitigating factors for his form of late.
However, Howe needs to be ruthless.
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