Journalist now says £25m man is a cause for 'massive frustration' at Newcastle

A lot of Newcastle United top players are failing to perform at their best levels so far this season with the Magpies suffering an indifferent start to the campaign.

Eddie Howe and a few players have mentioned it on a few occasions this season already that things just aren't clicking yet for whatever reason.

We've seen some excellent individual performances let down by those around them not being at the same level and save for perhaps Nick Pope and Dan Burn, nobody has really performed at anything resembling a consistent level.

But Chris Waugh has mentioned one player specifically in his Q&A for The Athletic that has been disappointing.

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What has happened with Joe Willock?

A fan asked what was going on with Joe Willock who was expected to kick on this season after his nightmare campaign last time around which saw him miss so much football through injury. Chris Waugh admitted that the £25 million former Arsenal man has been disappointing so far this season and even suggested that he was a cause for frustration for those behind the scenes.

"Willock has been disappointing, especially so when he came on against Brighton, and it is a massive frustration for many at the club because, when he is on form, he brings unique qualities to the midfield. Nobody else can carry possession in the dynamic way Willock does and, without him, Newcastle appear more pedestrian and predictable.

"Aside from his excellent second-half cameo at Wolves last month, when Willock created more chances than anyone else and Howe essentially felt forced to start him at Fulham a week later because of that, he has consistently failed to positively affect matches. Howe even hooked him at half-time that day at Craven Cottage and admitted he got that selection wrong, so ineffectual was the 25-year-old.

"While members of the coaching staff have expected more from Willock, there is also an appreciation regarding his lack of minutes. Since the start of last season, he has only started six league games — and he is a player who thrives on rhythm and regular football. He is no longer actually injured, but his body is still returning to peak fitness, which he will only attain once he starts regularly and, right now, his performances do not warrant a place."

Eddie Howe needs to start mixing it up in midfield to suit the opposition

There's clearly hope for Willock yet, but like we mentioned about Sean Longstaff this morning, he has to try and convince Eddie Howe that he deserves a place in the team ahead of Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, and while that trio hasn't really clicked yet, when you look at those names on paper it's hard to imagine playing anyone else in midfield.

Between the five of them, each one brings something different to the team and Eddie Howe needs to get a handle on what that is and which players are best suited for particular opposition.

The time for picking players based on their perceived talent is over, it's time to start picking players based purely on who can affect the game better and sometimes you need Joe Willock's athleticism more than Sandro Tonali's cool head, or Sean Longstaff's simple football over Joelinton's brute force.