With his ability to win the ball, as well as his endurance covering ground, it has protected the infamously slow Jonjo Shelvey and allowed him to concentrate on linking play. 

‘Frank’ discussions with Willock

For five months, Willock looked like a player who had made a mistake signing for Newcastle. He was low on confidence, as well as confused about what was expected from him, first under Steve Bruce and then Howe.

His return to form has been a welcome surprise, the former Newcastle captain, Alan Shearer, correctly describing the team’s goalscorer as the “best player on the pitch” during the 1-1 draw against West Ham.

Sources have told Telegraph Sport that no player has occupied more of Howe’s time than Willock. The 22-year-old has been indulged, encouraged and comforted, but he has also been shown some “really tough love” too. 

Howe liked the player, his ability and athleticism, but did not like what he saw in training or games. There have been some frank conversations about the standards expected and the work that needs to be done. In short, as one well placed figure put it, “Joe needed to grow up, he needed to work harder and he needed to focus more.”

But there are other reasons for the rejuvenation. Willock is simply more settled in the North East; happier in his new surroundings and content with the decision to leave his native London.

Telegraph Sport can reveal for the first time just how difficult things were for the former Arsenal midfielder, who was effectively forced out of his boyhood club by Mikel Arteta. He moved hundreds of miles away from his family and friends, living on his own in a rural, isolated location in Northumberland – a decision made when he was advised to avoid the distractions of Newcastle’s famous nightlife. 

Willock has suffered from severe homesickness, silently at first, possibly because he was worried how it would be perceived, until coaching staff realised what was wrong and spoke to him about the upheaval in his personal life. 

When things had gone well on the pitch, Willock had been able to hide his emotional discomfort at leaving London for the first time, but having made the move permanent when he belatedly accepted he was not going to play first team football for Arsenal if he stayed, the shock to the system crippled him. His form immediately suffered and fans slowly turned against him, mistakenly leaping to the conclusion his loan form had given a false impression of his ability while others took his poor body language and unhappiness as a sign he did not really want to play for the club.

There may have been some early misgivings, but Willock is far more settled and his happiness off the pitch, as well as Howe’s decision to challenge and, initially criticise him, has had the desired effect. Willock is finally justifying Bruce’s decision to spend all of the club’s summer transfer budget on him. He looks like a £20million plus player again. Arsenal may still regret their decision to let him leave.