Jacob Murphy is Eddie Howe’s most used player since he took over at Newcastle United but there’s a feeling that the winger doesn’t get the praise he deserves from those outside of the club according to Sean Longstaff.
Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy sat down with NUFC TV following the Nottingham Forest game for an interview released on Newcastle United‘s YouTube channel today. The interview covered a lot of things, but one key moment was Sean Longstaff extolling the virtues of having Murphy at the club.
Longstaff was asked if every squad needs a Jacob Murphy to which he said: “A million percent. I think Murph’s, within the group, everyone appreciates him and values him so highly. I think on the outside people don’t as much as they should do.
Murphy’s drive in training raises the game of those around him
“If it wasn’t for Murph, a lot of the way the group is it wouldn’t be as together, the training standard wouldn’t be as high. You see him coming on in games and the impact he makes.
“It’s a comfort blanket knowing that you’ve got him to come on and change the game. He can make an impact in any situation, we’re really, really lucky to have him and probably someone that should get more credit.”
Eddie Howe clearly appreciates the former Norwich winger having used him now in 51 out of 53 games since he took the managerial hot seat. It looks like somewhat of a revival for Murphy’s Newcastle career, but Steve Bruce also had a soft spot for Murphy.
When Murphy was asked if he feels his career has turned around at Newcastle he made a point of saying that he felt like he was improving under Bruce, but then went on to praise Howe, saying: “With Eddie coming in, his whole ethos, team structure, everything. That’s my game. I think together that’s how it worked. I like what he does, it suits my game and I think it has been a good partnership.”
It’s clearly working as Murphy is a strong contender for the Joelinton Award for Most Improved Player In A Season, which I just made up. At the start of this campaign Murphy still didn’t seem to know what to do when he had the ball, often running into blind alleys before making a terrible decison.
Murphy is no longer the ‘scarecrow’ he once was
Nowadays he’s clearly thinking a few moves ahead and working towards a goal. He’s no longer like the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz – lacking a brain. A prime example was on Wednesday night as he robbed Nayef Aguerd of the ball on the edge of the West Ham box before squaring it for Callum Wilson to power home. A few months ago Murphy would definitely have taken that on for himself and likely missed.
I’m loving the Murphy revival on the pitch almost as much as his banter off it. Calling Anthony Gordon ‘Starboy Malfoy’, his cheeky wave to Duje Caleta-Car when he got sent off, the wrist tapping when coming off the field after humiliating Manchester United … the list goes on.
It sounds like Murphy is one to keep around beyond this season as we don’t want to lose that kind of player from the dressing room, especially one that makes everyone up their game in training.
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