Every manager I have ever known has had his favourites. It is natural. Backing players you not only rate but believe you can rely upon.
However some sneak under the radar. At Newcastle Joe Willock is probably one. Despite the fact that in most minds Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton when fit have battened down two positions in a three-man midfield, Willock has started every game Newcastle have played this season in the Premier League and League Cup.
Even though he has had to often battle Sean Longstaff and fan-fancy Elliot Anderson for that last position in the engine room. And even though he has failed to score this season when breaking from the middle of the park to finish is his obvious main strength. However the figure that stands out is not his lack of goals but his total of starts.
