Murphy

[Nufcian]

I did think about the 'Miggy syndrome ' thing but Murphy has been getting steadily better and more consistent. I'd be happy to have him as a squad player. That pass for Isak's second was de Bruyne quality. I'm not saying he is capable of reaching anywhere near those levels, obviously, but there's more in his locker than maybe we realised previously.

As with all stats, the context is important.

His 3 goals were 2 against Leiecester then 1 in the next game against Ipswich.

Dunno if the game is still available to watch, but he missed a few very good chances before the first against Leicester, and looked a bit broken/worried by it.

The goals obviously helped his confidence, and his assists have been handy, and I completely agree he?s a good option in the squad, as part of rotation.

It?s just his lack of defending from the front, and his reluctance to take people on that make me think he needs replaced.

It makes me think about the way he looked against Leicester before it came good for him, it?s like he?s shying away from competing with anyone? probably t him under any pressure and he?ll get rid of the ball regardless of if it is a good position to do so? and if opposition works that out then we?re knackered down the right.

I like him, in the same way I like Miggy? they are positive, smiling, hard working players, but they are both very limited.

Miggy got 11 goals all season 22/23, 8 of them in his purple patch? but as for goals that really made a difference it was the winner against Everton? the rest of the time he was making hay while the sun shined on the rest of the team too? same with Murphy, though his biggest meaningful contribution this season really has been an assist when we beat spurs 2-1 at home.

This is just my opinion, and fair enough if people disagree, but we need someone with real/solid self-belief and the ability to deliver against top teams to match. He?s a good option from the bench, but he is not the same quality as Gordon and Isak.

If we got a player like Mbuemo then we?d have a midfield and front line as good as any team in the Prem

[Zippity]

I've seen the point made that if we'd bought him in the Summer and he had 3 goals and 8 assists as well as several shots which hit the post, we'd have been thinking it was very good business.

I think the difference between him and Miggy is that Miggy had one exceptional period then reverted to type... and his 'type' is pretty sh!te. Murphy, on the other hand, looks to be playing to or even above his level more consistently.