The Newcastle United defender was thrown into the Magpies side by head coach Steve Bruce on Saturday and was one of the star performers in the 1-1 top flight draw with Norwich. The Netherlands international’s pace and attacking intent particularly caught the eye.
And despite his positive show, Willems admits he’s far from fully fit – and nowhere near his best just yet.
“I am not 100 per cent fit yet because my last (full game) was last season, and I want to show more,” Willems told NUFC TV.
“But for the time (being), I’m satisfied.
“I’m trying to do my best, that’s the only thing I want. And to give the fans what they deserve, and what they come for. I want to show myself also, but it’s my job – I’m just doing my job.”
On the international break, he continued: “For me, it’s the right time to get some rest and organise my things, because I’m new here and it was a little bit (chaotic)!
“I came from the training camp of my old club (Eintracht Frankfurt), then came here and I couldn’t go back. So, for me, it’s a good and right time.”
Reflecting back on the game itself, Willems is in no doubt United were worthy of the three points – not just the one they were rewarded with.
“I think we should have won it,” he said.
“It’s unlucky, because we had some chances, and they didn’t create something – it was an unlucky goal. And after, I think we showed them that we were better, even on the counter attack. They were only defending.
“We have had some progress. I think if you saw the first game, it was a miscommunication and we lost. But in the first half, I think we were better. Against Norwich, it was something that can happen. And after, against Tottenham, we were in shape. And now we keep going and we are in a good shape.”