Joe Willock’s Newcastle starting prospects may have taken a big hit after yesterday

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Yesterday was a terrible day for Newcastle United.

The club were in FA Cup action against League One Cambridge United, and it was a golden chance to reach the fourth round.

Eddie Howe named a strong starting XI, and there was a magnificent turnout at St. James’ Park.

Sadly, the crowd’s support could not inspire those that were on the pitch.

It was an awful display from Newcastle, who were so wasteful in the first-half especially.

After Cambridge scored, the crowd did its level best to pick the team up.

But there was an alarming lack of urgency from many, and body language was generally poor.

One man who has been coming in for criticism from supporters since the end of the game yesterday is Joe Willock.

Newcastle’s only signing last summer started on the bench yesterday, and entered the action on 59 minutes to replace Jacob Murphy.

After the blow of conceding, Newcastle needed a spark. But there was disappointingly no sign of that from the 22-year-old.

Lots of supporters remarked on social media that Willock just didn’t impact the game at all in the 30 minutes or so he was on.

Nobody expected him to replicate the form he showed during his loan spell last season.

But plenty expected much more than what he has shown. With no goals or assists in 18 appearances, some are hugely disappointed with how he has fared.

Joe Willock’s starting prospects have never been lower for Newcastle

This was his chance to make a statement. It was a chance for him to prove some people wrong, and show that the player from last season hasn’t gone anywhere. With the team 1-0 down, needed to step up.

But it was another poor display and fans are now asking real questions.

He was unstoppable last term during his loan. But the £25 million summer transfer has been a complete disaster so far. There is no point in sugar-coating it.

With the transfer window now open, there is every chance a couple of new midfielders will be coming in.

He already has more competition following Joelinton’s recent position change.

If new faces do come in as expected, Willock will potentially slip down the pecking order. And that will make his chances of starting games regularly very difficult.