Newcastle United academy graduate Alex Murphy has spent the last four months on loan at League One side Bolton Wanderers.
Joining the Magpies in 2022, the Irishman is one of several players who have been given the nod to play for Newcastle United’s first team under Eddie Howe.
Alex Murphy made his debut as a late substitute in a 4-1 win against Chelsea at St James’ Park in 2023, but has only made one more appearance since then.
The 20-year-old has been named on the bench for a handful of games this season. However, Murphy told Eddie Howe he wants more game time and asked to be sent out on loan.
His wish was granted, with Howe urging Murphy to impress him at Bolton to put him in the conversation for more minutes in the Premier League.
Murphy has got his wish for more minutes at Bolton, but on Monday, the club were handed a major setback after a heartbreaking loss to Lincoln City.
Alex Murphy scores as Bolton Wanderers suffer League One setback
As it stands, Murphy has made 11 appearances since joining Bolton during the January transfer window. However, the Trotters have lost the last four games he has played.
Those defeats now mean that it would take a miracle for Bolton to reach the League One play-offs this season, with their -3 goal difference way behind Leyton Orient’s +20.
Amid the setback, Murphy scored his second goal of the season, heading home from the end of a cross to level the game.
However, two second-half goals would see them eventually lose 4-2 against 11th-place Lincoln City. In anger, Bolton fans took to X to comment on Murphy’s performance.
“Still the worst LB we’ve ever had,” said one fan, while another added: “He’ll never play senior football for them.”
This Bolton fan commented on Murphy’s chances of breaking into Newcastle’s first-team, saying: “He won’t make 1 appearance for Newcastle fact.”
“Poor choice of pass a lot of the time and needs to be braver and pass and dribble forward more instead of going sideways and backwards. Needs to be quicker in his actions too,” said another frustrated Bolton supporter.
Another fan added: “Can’t wait to see the back of Murphy.”
Finally, this Bolton fan said: “Murphy’s a joke.”
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Has Alex Murphy done enough to impress Eddie Howe?
Ironically, Murphy could have had the opportunity for more minutes in Newcastle’s first team if he were a little bit more patient. Lloyd Kelly joined Juventus on loan in the January transfer window, leaving the Magpies short of left-sided centre-backs.
Dan Burn has been brilliant in Kelly’s absence, but Murphy would have been in with a shout of playing if he had stayed at the club.
In addition to Kelly’s exit, Sven Botman picked up a knee injury, meaning there is currently only one natural left-sided centre-back at Howe’s disposal.
While the circumstances changed, it does not look like Murphy will be getting any more minutes in Newcastle’s first team next season. The defender is still raw and needs more time to develop in the lower leagues before he can be considered for more appearances.
A move to another League One team could be beneficial for him next season given how it has gone for him at Bolton since January.
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