Newcastle United loanee Alex Murphy has made a good start to life at Bolton Wanderers.
The 20-year-old Alex Murphy looks to have grabbed the opportunity to impress Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe with both hands as the League One side looks to climb into the play-off places before the end of the season.
Murphy asked to leave Newcastle on loan to play more league football. The defender has been in and around Newcastle’s first-team squad in the last 18 months but only made two appearances in the Premier League.
His time at Bolton got off to a shaky start when Ian Evatt, who brought Murphy in, left the club. However, new manager Steven Schumacher looks to have faith in the young Irishman.
Schumacher called Murphy ‘outstanding’ after his first start in a 1-0 defeat to Reading a week ago. He has now earned himself more fans after scoring in Bolton’s thrilling 4-3 win against Crawley Town, who are managed by former Newcastle man Rob Elliot.
After his first league goal, Bolton fans took to social media to react.
Bolton fans react to Alex Murphy’s goal
Before Murphy scored, Bolton were 3-1 down against the League One strugglers Crawley. Murphy’s goal kicked off a dramatic comeback which helped them climb up to seventh in League One.
Bolton fans took to X to react to his goal and performance.
“Buzzing for Alex Murphy! I think he’s a quality player. He’s got a lot of talent this kid!” wrote one fan. While another added: “I like this lad. Good on the ball, eye for a pass and strong for a young lad.”
This Bolton fan predicted how he will fair for the rest of the season, they said: “Very useful player he will do well here.”
“Good player, that lad. Nothing spectacular but just comfortable just doing what he needs to do.” said another convinced Bolton fan.
This fan highlighted his reaction time to the free-kick which led to the goal: “Tell you what, to say he was off-guard to the quick free-kick chance, he’s put that away very nicely, deceptively good finish, not easy that!”
Finally, this fan said: “Didn’t look out of place, really comfortable.”
Alex Murphy left Newcastle at the wrong time
While Murphy wanted the move to get more game time in professional football, events outside of his control have meant that his move away could prove to be a mistake.
Sven Botman missed Newcastle’s thriller against Birmingham with a knee problem. In the second half of the cup tie, defender Dan Burn went off injured and could be a doubt for the next few weeks.
Murphy is a left-sided defender and could have been put to use by Howe if those injuries are deemed to be serious.
Botman has only just returned from a knee injury which saw him sidelined for around 10 months while Burn has arguably been Newcastle’s best player of the season.
The Magpies have an important Carabao Cup final in five weeks – fans will be hoping that they have the strongest possible squad for it.
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