Newcastle United fans were disappointed by one player’s performance in the defeat to Fulham on Saturday.
It is certainly a day to forget for Eddie Howe’s side who failed to capitalise on their lead going into half time.
Newcastle’s defeat to Fulham is the second straight loss at St James’ Park for the Magpies and Fulham’s first Premier League win on Tyneside since 2009 when Alan Shearer was manager.
A win on Saturday would have moved them up to fourth in the Premier League table with Manchester City still to play. Now, they could drop down to sixth if Chelsea pick up a point against West Ham on Monday.
Jacob Murphy will be pleased to get on the scoresheet on his 200th Newcastle appearance, but his foul late on in the game was what allowed Fulham to score the winner.
Midfielder Joe Willock was a second-half substitute in the game and nearly made an immediate impact but missed a magnificent chance while the scores were level.
Willock saw out the rest of the game but fans were nowhere near pleased with the levels of commitment he put in during his time on the pitch.
Newcastle fans have taken to social media to react.
Newcastle United fans on Joe Willock’s performance vs Fulham
Willock has found consistent game time hard to come by for Newcastle this season. Mainly due to how well the likes of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes have been playing.
The 25-year-old has made 21 appearances in the league this season, but most of them have come from the bench.
Willock had a chance to impress Howe after Joelinton went off earlier than usual.
Sadly, he would do no such thing. Newcastle fans have taken to X to make their feelings know about how he played.
“The decline of Joe Willock needs to be studied,” one fan said, while another added. “Joe Willock has had one of the worst substitute appearances I’ve ever seen.”
This fan suggested selling him before the transfer deadline: “Just sell Joe Willock before the window shuts. Never seen a drop-off like it.”
Another fan added: “Something seriously wrong with Joe Willock. Can’t believe it, genuinely thought he would be back to his best and such a key player this season.”
Another fan added: “Willock has been so poor for over a month now, he’s another I’d move on.”
Finally, this fan said: “Loan Willock out or sell him, another 6 months of cameos like that and he’ll have no value to anyone, including us.”
Newcastle’s attacking issues against Fulham
When the line-up was announced, it was clear that Newcastle’s attacking players were in for a long afternoon.
Willock and William Osula were the only attack-minded players available on the bench for the Magpies on Saturday.
Harvey Barnes is out for two more weeks while a decision on Callum Wilson will be made before Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal.
Fans may not have realised just how scarce the Magpies’ attacking options would be once Miguel Almiron left Newcastle.
Howe has a lot of thinking to do regarding his bench until the end of the season.
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