The Mag
·12 de dezembro de 2024
The Mag
·12 de dezembro de 2024
On 7 September 2020, Callum Wilson signed for Newcastle United.
It had ended up as apparently a straight choice between Aston Villa (near where the striker is from), or their Premier League rivals.
Callum Wilson signing for Newcastle United despite the fact Mike Ashley was owner and Steve Bruce the manager.
Almost two thirds through that 2020/21 Premier League season, Callum Wilson was asked about his decision back in September 2020.
Aston Villa at the time eighth in the Premier League after 23 matches, Newcastle United 17th and only three points above the relegation zone.
“I stand by my decision. I made my decision at that point in time based on the facts I’d written down, and the opportunities in front of me. I stand by my decision, and it’s been a good one
“When Newcastle came around there was such history around the club and the iconic number nine. I keep in touch with Alan Shearer from time to time, there was a connection there as well.
“I thought I could go up there and prove to everyone at such a big club who Callum Wilson is. For me, that was what I was relishing.
“Villa was back home, but I watched Goal! as a kid and it gave me goosebumps.
“I thought this is me, it’s my time to go up to Newcastle and show everyone up in Geordie land who Callum Wilson is.”
Callum Wilson was superb for Newcastle United that season, United somehow ended up 12th, only one place but 10 points behind Aston Villa. Wilson only started 23 Premier League games but was directly involved in 17 of the 46 PL goals Newcastle scored that 2020/21 season, scoring twelve and five assists.
The following season was the takeover one and a cruel injury against Man U on 27 December 2021 meant that Callum Wilson only started 16 Premier League matches but still scored eight PL goals.
The next season was phenomenal, for both Callum Wilson and Newcastle United.
The 2022/23 season saw Eddie Howe able to manage Callum Wilson and his injury issues far better, with Alexander Isak having signed. Wilson was available for 32 Premier League matches and played in 31 of them, starting 21 and off the bench in another 10. He produced quite astonishing goal involvement, Callum Wilson directly involved in 23 Premier League goals that season, scoring eighteen and five assists. It worked out at a direct goal involvement every 82 Premier League minutes he was on the pitch.
In that 2022/23 Premier League season when Newcastle United finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League after two decades away from it, worth pointing out that other than Callum Wilson’s 18 PL goals, next highest was 11 for Miggy Almiron, 10 for Alexander Isak, Joelinton next with only six PL goals.
Injuries again affected Callum Wilson last season but available for and featuring in all of those 20 PL games in 2023/24, starting nine and off the bench in the other eleven. With nine goals and one assist, this time a direct goal involvement every 98 PL minutes on average.
Then this season, no Premier League starts for Callum Wilson so far, only four sub appearances totalling 57 minutes.
Callum Wilson of course now injured again. A journalist revealing on Wednesday night a new hamstring injury that will apparently keep the striker out at least a couple of months, Wilson himself confirming today that he is indeed injured once more.
This is where I want to make my point.
I find this completely unacceptable with Callum Wilson, beyond belief.
By this, I mean the reaction of numerous Newcastle United fans to this news.
Absolutely terrible.
Newcastle United fans having a go at Callum Wilson for getting injured. Totally brainless.
Callum Wilson wasn’t out drinking in Newcastle city centre the night before a big match, had ten pints, climbed a lamp post and fell off.
I can absolutely understand Newcastle fans getting angry and frustrated with the fact a quality player is injured BUT I don’t understand any NUFC fan getting angry with Callum Wilson.
Callum Wilson has always given it the proverbial 110 per cent, in training and especially on the pitch.
If it was a case of him being reckless, not looking after himself and so on, then maybe critcism would be valid. However, nobody is suggesting that to be in any way the case.
Callum Wilson has been a class act, right through from given us such a lift when choosing Newcastle over Villa despite Mike Ashley. The history and allure of the name of Newcastle United and a helping hand from Alan Shearer, attracting Wilson to Tyneside.
In return he has given everything, just look at how often he has scored goals when on the pitch.
He can’t help it that at times his body has let him down.
Callum Wilson should simply have our sympathy and support.
Without him, there would have been no fourth place in 2022/23.