Joe Willock says he is a better player than the one that elevated himself on to the same stage as Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer 18 months ago.
Back then Willock's remarkable record of seven goals in seven consecutive games made him the youngest player in the Premier League to achieve such a feat. But under Eddie Howe, Willock feels he has progressed from the player Toon fans first watched from their homes during the lockdown after he arrived from Arsenal on loan.
It was Steve Bruce who gave him his big chance at St James' Park but under Howe he is starting to show more of his all round game. Perhaps it is easy to forget that Willock is still just 23 and despite having a solid campaign so far he was barely talked about for a World Cup place with England.
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Although for now, he is firmly focused on nothing but improvement at Newcastle. In between his first two goals of the season, away to Southampton and at home to Chelsea, Chronicle Live caught up with the £25million man.
When asked if the strike at St Mary's in the 4-1 win on the South Coast wast the start of another hot streak this winter, Willock told Chronicle Live: "Of course, I would love another run like that - to help the team more than anything. It would be amazing to do it again.
"But I honestly feel like I've come on leaps and bounds since then as a player. It is about my whole performance these days, not only the goals. It's about my performances overall. I'm happy I have scored again and hopefully it can continue."
The Magpies signed off for the World Cup break on the back of five straight Premier League victories and Willock, who grabbed the winner against Chelsea, has been a massive part of that sequence. In a hotly contested midfield battle, which now includes fit-again Jonjo Shelvey, Willock paid tribute to his team-mates.
It is all a far cry from the team that has fought against the drop in recent seasons. And Arsenal Academy product Willock knows something special is building.
Willock said: "It has shown far we've come in games to dig deep and win games. I am happy to score and help the team.
"I feel like the manager has had a non-negotiable approach from the outset. It shows every day in training and in games, we as players are the ones who have to meet that requirement. We're doing it in games and long may it continue."
Whether Newcastle have surprised even themselves to be sitting in the top three is unknown as the Magpies go on a game to game basis. For Willock, it isn't just about league positions.
Reflecting on being in third spot, Willock went on: "You just have to take confidence from that. But it's still early in the season, we are buying into the process rather than looking at the table.
"We're happy we are third but looking on to the next games. I feel the focus should be where the club are going in the future, we can go where we want to if we buy into the process that the manager has set out for us.
"We're all looking forward to the future but at the present moment we are doing well and want to continue doing well."
The turnaround at Newcastle under Eddie Howe has been sensational in 2022. Willock also feels it is also about the dressing room leaders at the club - not least England's World Cup star Kieran Trippier.
Willock said: "It was an amazing pass at Southampton and he's an amazing player. I am just happy I can share the pitch with him.
"He is such an influence, he's not only an amazing player but an amazing leader. We have a lot of leaders like that at the club and I feel that is a big strong reason why we're so high up."
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