CHRIS WILLOCK: FACING A BATTLE

Chris Willock is facing a battle this season as he is still trying to find his feet in the Welsh Capital. A fair number of supporters were happy with how Willock performed in pre-season and a short cameo against Peterborough, however Willock's first start of the season against Port Vale saw the winger take serious criticism from The Bluebirds faithful. As Willock is entering his second year at the club, the 27 year-old continues his battle to win over the fan base.

Chris Willock in action.

Cardiff's opening two games have been eye-openers for many players, Chris Willock being one of those. Against Peterborough, Willock did his defensive duties well and picked out a nice pass or two in the final third in his thirteen minute cameo. Then, the winger started at Port Vale and it was a difficult evening for the 27 year-old which has seen Willock face an abundance of criticism, with patience running out.

When Cardiff sealed the deal for Chris Willock, it was one of the first signings in a long time other sides were jealous of, and it felt a real coup and a sign of intent, but outside of a handful of good showings, Willock has failed to find any type of consistency at Cardiff City thus far and for a long time has been facing that battle to win over the City fans, but Thursday night felt like the final straw for some.

A lot is made of Willock's work ethic, or a lack of. I admit on the eye you could make a fair argument, the stats would suggest otherwise. Per FotMob, Willock sat second last season for Possession won in the final third a game and Possession won in the midfield a game. Willock impressed me in pre-season with his pressing from the front, particularly against Notts County, but Thursday perhaps was a cause for concern, and raised the conversation for how suitable Willock is for what Brian Barry-Murphy wants from a winger.

The main criticism Willock has had since his arrival is his lack of urgency and end product. I think this is a fair criticism, at times it looks like Willock wants time that no player in the world would get to make a decision. Whether it's a confidence thing or just how Willock has always been, I don't know. However, when Cardiff have typically had direct and quick wingers, Willock is about as far away from that as you can get, and I don't think City fans have particularly warmed to that. In terms of end product, the Port Vale game probably highlighted that, outside of a good corner it was very lacklustre, but is that something fixable at this stage in his career? I don't think so. Outside of his time at Cardiff, Willock's end product seems to have been fairly good, but it feels like we're still waiting it to click in the Welsh Capital.

In terms of where I stand on Chris Willock, simply, more is needed. I genuinely feel there's a player in Willock. Some of the criticism he's faced has been fair, but there has also been a fair amount of criticism that has been over the top and slightly unnecessary. I desperately want it to work for Willock, it's just about finding how you're going to make that happen. Willock is still yet to have that run of starts someone like Ollie Tanner for example has had, he's never had that run of seven or eight games to start. I've always been of the belief that Willock is a number ten, but it appears he will be utilised as a winger again this campaign.

These next few weeks feel hugely significant in the Cardiff City career of Chris Willock as he continues his battle to win over the fan base. It just feels like more eyes will be on Willock as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing first start of the season, but he'll need to step things up as patience begins to run out.

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