Chris willock- his age and wenger calling him a "very interesting player" when at arsenal

Just randomly noticed he is only 27. For some reason because he was at QPR forever i had it in mind hes about 33 coming to the end of his career.

For context mark harris is 26 and he still seems 19 to me.

Anyway wenger described him as a very interesting player when willock broke into first team squad at arsenal when he was 16. I wonder what was interesting about him? I wonder what wenger would say now?

Maybe he will come good? He has to be better than what we have seen? Or will he save that for his next club?

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Originally Posted by Father Dougal

Just randomly noticed he is only 27. For some reason because he was at QPR forever i had it in mind hes about 33 coming to the end of his career.

For context mark harris is 26 and he still seems 19 to me.

Anyway wenger described him as a very interesting player when willock broke into first team squad at arsenal when he was 16? I wonder what was interesting about him? I wonder what wenger would say now?

Maybe he will come good? He has to be better than what we have seen? Or will he save that for his next club?

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He's very interesting because for some reason he's still a professional footballer despite showing zero interest in acting like it on the pitch

He was dire at QPR for the last two seasons there and he's continued that here

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

He's very interesting because for some reason he's still a professional footballer despite showing zero interest in acting like it on the pitch

He was dire at QPR for the last two seasons there and he's continued that here

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He's a human cul-de-sac.

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

He's very interesting because for some reason he's still a professional footballer despite showing zero interest in acting like it on the pitch

He was dire at QPR for the last two seasons there and he's continued that here

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When we signed him im sure a podcast like not the top 20 had us as top half mainly because of him. Distinctly remember listening to that clip.

However on a quick google his record at qpr was a lot worse than i thought so maybe this is it.

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Originally Posted by Father Dougal

When we signed him im sure a podcast like not the top 20 had us as top half mainly because of him. Distinctly remember listening to that clip.

However on a quick google his record at qpr was a lot worse than i thought so maybe this is it.

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Like el ghazi we could see was a player and had it in him. He wasnt great for us either but there were definitely signs he was good and if was fully fit could be very good.

I dont see that in willock at all. He doesnt seem unfit or anything just looks shit. Must be more to it though so we shall see.

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Originally Posted by Father Dougal

When we signed him im sure a podcast like not the top 20 had us as top half mainly because of him. Distinctly remember listening to that clip.

However on a quick google his record at qpr was a lot worse than i thought so maybe this is it.

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NTT20 had us finishing around 20th last season. They were not positive about any of our transfer business.

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

NTT20 had us finishing around 20th last season. They were not positive about any of our transfer business.

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Maybe they had us to stay up because of him? Some podcast somewhere said he was good anyway. :hehe:

All i can find in a 10 second search is some city pages and fans excited about his signing.

https://x.com/ThreeBluebirds_/status...xMPTZBOMQ&s=19

And the reaction to him signing is very positive

https://x.com/GlenWilliams12/status/1811038654476783625?t=bMBnnw1KMS61CzJMXo8MEg&s=19

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Originally Posted by Father Dougal

Maybe they had us to stay up because of him? Some podcast somewhere said he was good anyway. :hehe:

All i can find in a 10 second search is some city pages and fans excited about his signing.

https://x.com/ThreeBluebirds_/status...xMPTZBOMQ&s=19

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I don't believe so. NTT20 were very scathing of us last season.

Willock's reputation far exceeds his ability, or at least application

I think that signing players from teams who wear blue and white hoops has worked out pretty poorly for us the from the day we signed Richard Langley.

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

He's very interesting because for some reason he's still a professional footballer despite showing zero interest in acting like it on the pitch

He was dire at QPR for the last two seasons there and he's continued that here

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It really begs the question of our recruitment team, of who actually watched him play and decided that this is a player that would improve us???

Unless the criteria from above, was anyone who’s available will do?

I’d love to read the report and assessment of what he does on the pitch that made the club think he would be an asset?

Was it his ability to turn a defender inside out?
His speed at getting to the byline and delivery a perfect cross?
His willingness to track back and tackle?
Was it a great scoring record?

Like Daland, when they eventually leave, I doubt they’ll be too many saying remember the time when he????

To me, and I maybe wrong, he looks like a player who would rather be anywhere else than on the pitch?

I don't want to see Pillock in a City shirt ever again. I let out a huge sigh of exasperation when I saw him coming onto the pitch yesterday, and thus it will always remain until he's gone.

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Originally Posted by Father Dougal

Just randomly noticed he is only 27. For some reason because he was at QPR forever i had it in mind hes about 33 coming to the end of his career.

For context mark harris is 26 and he still seems 19 to me.

Anyway wenger described him as a very interesting player when willock broke into first team squad at arsenal when he was 16. I wonder what was interesting about him? I wonder what wenger would say now?

Maybe he will come good? He has to be better than what we have seen? Or will he save that for his next club?

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I was quite excited when we signed him, as I was when we signed El Ghazi, but he has been disappointing.

Aside from being very one footed and not able to beat his man, the one thing that amazes me about him, as he showed at Port Vale again (and Oxford away last season) is that he ball watches when he is ‘defending’. It is like watching a child play, as opposing players simply run past him as he gazes at the ball instead of tracking his man. It is just baffling. And alarming.

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

I don't believe so. NTT20 were very scathing of us last season.

Willock's reputation far exceeds his ability, or at least application

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There was one point last night when he went to receive a simple pass on the touchline with no real opposition pressure nearby and he mis controlled it and went into touch but I wasn't shocked

Not sure what BBM sees in him to start him at Port Vale and bring him on before others last night

I'd be a little concerned about BBM's judgement if he starts over Davies on the weekend. Last night felt.like the first time in ages where our wingers made an effort to try and beat a man and whip balls into the box. Ashford was a bit more direct too, he looks devoid of confidence to me IMO so a goal and a decent showing will hopefully help.

Willock is the definition of a failed transfer policy. For some reason we seem to believe we can get a tune where others have failed. Chambers, Mete and El Ghazi are further examples. I would like us to take a look at new potential rather than expensive failures. I was so impressed with Princewill Ehibhatiomhan last night. Apparently he came from non league but didn't look out of place and scored a great goal. Why aren't our scouts looking at players like this?

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Originally Posted by NinianKnight

Willock is the definition of a failed transfer policy. For some reason we seem to believe we can get a tune where others have failed. Chambers, Mete and El Ghazi are further examples. I would like us to take a look at new potential rather than expensive failures. I was so impressed with Princewill Ehibhatiomhan last night. Apparently he came from non league but didn't look out of place and scored a great goal. Why aren't our scouts looking at players like this?

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How our scouting team are still in jobs is also a miracle.

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Originally Posted by Bald Barry Bastad

How our scouting team are still in jobs is also a miracle.

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Their brief is to sign players to fill gaps, as cheaply as possible.

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Originally Posted by olderblue

It really begs the question of our recruitment team, of who actually watched him play and decided that this is a player that would improve us???

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Since the embargo was lifted, we've signed Turnbull, Horvath, Daland, Chambers, Fish, Willock, AEG, Robertson, Simic, Tsunoda and Salech on permanent transfers. None of them are automatic starters bar Salech and some are so bad they're already on their way out.

How Paddy Deboys is still here is a sign of the self preservation tactics hinted at by others.

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Originally Posted by tforturton

Their brief is to sign players to fill gaps, as cheaply as possible.

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Daland cost 3.5m

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Originally Posted by NinianKnight

Willock is the definition of a failed transfer policy. For some reason we seem to believe we can get a tune where others have failed. Chambers, Mete and El Ghazi are further examples. I would like us to take a look at new potential rather than expensive failures. I was so impressed with Princewill Ehibhatiomhan last night. Apparently he came from non league but didn't look out of place and scored a great goal. Why aren't our scouts looking at players like this?

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Not quite.

He is a product of the Reading academy like his elder brother Kelvin who scored against Pompey last night. He was poached by Southampton from whom he is on loan having signed on Monday!

Last night was his first ever senior game.

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

Since the embargo was lifted, we've signed Turnbull, Horvath, Daland, Chambers, Fish, Willock, AEG, Robertson, Simic, Tsunoda and Salech on permanent transfers. None of them are automatic starters bar Salech and some are so bad they're already on their way out.

How Paddy Deboys is still here is a sign of the self preservation tactics hinted at by others.

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It's beyond belief. Deboys must have cost the club tens of millions in fees, wages, and loss of Championship status. Derby [John Eustuce] knew what they were doing last year when they blocked his move to join them, citing 'his record of poor returns for their investments based on his recommendations'. Says it all really.

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

It's beyond belief. Deboys must have cost the club tens of millions in fees, wages, and loss of Championship status. Derby [John Eustuce] knew what they were doing last year when they blocked his move to join them, citing 'his record of poor returns for their investments based on his recommendations'. Says it all really.

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Is that a genuine quote from Derby County FC (or John Eustace) to explain why they decided not to appoint Paddy Deboys.... or not?

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Originally Posted by jon1959

Is that a genuine quote from Derby County FC (or John Eustace) to explain why they decided not to appoint Paddy Deboys.... or not?

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our bad luck..

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/jo...atrick-deboys/

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

our bad luck..

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/jo...atrick-deboys/

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Yes I saw that.

So not a quote.

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Originally Posted by jon1959

Yes I saw that.

So not a quote.

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No, not a quote verbatim. But yes, that is the reason his appointment was blocked.