grumpygit ( I've given you a 'like' for your thread!) I am also liking the type of player that Evans has been targeting -- but (( and you knew this was coming )) - I suspect that Willock was sent to Crawley to get some experience. I have no doubt that he has learnt from his time with them- and that he is still a 'work-in-progress.' The record of Crawley's results in which Willock featured isn't special. I found 11 games featuring Willock. He was subbed in all but one - usually first to be taken off - around the 70 minute mark. The only game he played throughout ended 0-0. He featured in 3 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats, including a 1-6 thrashing by Crewe. I hope Gills can benefit from Willock's experience in L2. I would like to think that he will do better in a team with better players around him - with the experience of O'Keefe ? -- I hope that Willock doesn't turn into a pillock (sorry)............ I now would like Steve Evans to persuade Eaves to stay.
I have copied a post from Jerryattrick, he posts on another site. "Matty Willock - I am both shocked and happy with this signing. Have seen him many many times on MUTV for utd U23s. He was rated as one for the future and most supporters surprised he was released. Lots of clubs would have been after him so this is a major coup for us. most fans may not realise how big a coup this is for us. This could (if he plays at his potential and does not sulk at not making it at utd) be one of our best and most profitable signings - ever."
This is potentially a great signing, or another waste of money. There are countless instances of exciting youth players in PL clubs not fulfilling the potential that was originally hoped for - the lower leagues are littered with them. In some cases I believe that the reason for the lack of ongoing development is down to a combination of both football AND PERSONAL guidance. Being a top footballer these days requires a level of commitment to the job that you would have been laughed at for giving in the 'crazy gang' era. In fact Bradley Dack acknowledged that without JE's guidance WHICH HE TOOK ON BOARD he would not have achieved what he has done. So now it's up to Willock, whether he's willing to put in whatever level of work and commitment necessary in order to fulfil the potential that evidently knowledgeable people saw in him when he was younger, and hopefully work his way back up the leagues.
I think if we think about the last signing we made from the Premier League who was bit of an unknown with bags of potential, we ended up making a bit of money out of him and he's now going to be playing Premier League football next season. I am of course referring to John Egan so fingers crossed we've found another gem. Welcome Matty Willock!
20 year old Mikael, played 31 games for Kilmarnock last season (Scottish premier league) where he scored 5 goals.
please log in to view this image I am intrigued ! - I see that he has the No.14 shirt. -- and that it is a blue shirt with black stripes -- I thought that the new season's 'home' kit has a blue shirt with red sleeves - anyone know differently ?
This story from early April supports your believe on shirt colour. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gillingham-show-their-colours-202386/ The trouble is since that story the decision to go for a new supplier was announced, could the shirt design have changed as well?