Pre-season 2024-25

[bodacious benny]

2-0 up at Hull already, Murphy and Isak.

[Don Sholeone]

Absolute howler for our second. Nice deft touch from Isak for the first.

Wouldn't write off a howler for us second half If Vlach comes on, looking really sloppy in the warm ups

[beatski]

Hope they put highlights up on YouTube later

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

I would be lying if i said murphy was exactly my favourite toon player, never has been, in fact years ago when rafa had the murphy/atsu dilemma i was made up when he sent murph out on loan and put his faith in Atsu (RIP) as i felt he had more to offer with his pace, although he did require a lot more composure when recieving the ball which i thought would improve but didnt really work out.

Eddie does appear to trust Murphy to do a certain job with the team, i would like him to be more forceful and take games by the scruff of the neck instead of the odd moment of inspiration for a goal or a clever assist, the lad is 29now been here 7years and like i said never really convinced me that he is genuinely premiership quality

[Colly]

Genuinely couldn't disagree more, with all respect to Atsu he never really produced for us and I was surprised to even see his loan made permanent.

As for Murphy he grew into the side, but I thought he'd likely be one of the first victims of the takeover (good enough to play in a midtable side but not one with our investment), but to his credit he's kicked on. He's never going to be a world beater, but he's more productive than Almiron (bar that purple patch) and a decent backup for whoever we bring in. He's definitely Premier League quality, whether that's rotation for a top half side or starting for a lower side. Add to that the bantz level (that wave) and the look on his face at the San Siro and I'd be sad to see him go when it eventually happens.

On this game itself, I've started pre season well. Got to Hull early as planned and was due to meet my mate (who had our tickets) at the ground. At quarter past 1 I left my family at the aquarium, then thought just to check what other games were on today. At that point I realised it was a 2pm kickoff not 3... Sent a panicked message I was on my way and tried to hurry up, but Hull was rammed for Pride and some of the routes were shut. At about half 1 google reckoned I'd get to the ground just after 2 walking, so I just kept going, until I flukily spotted 2 mags getting in a taxi, opportunistically tried my hand (shy bairns get nowt) and made it on time. They refused to take any money off me too, saints. I'm usually very organised, Saturday 2pm?!?

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

I have to say i was delighted that we gave Atsu a contract, the poor fella was never given a game at chelski and was basically thrown from pillar to post during those 4 years, having loan spells in spain and holland, i just felt he needed someone to give him a break and the security of a 4 year deal would make him feel settled, at last, and he would calm himself down, because he was like a cat on a hot tin roof when he recieved the ball and it took a few touches to get the ball under control which ofcourse at this level you don't get time to fanny about and the ball was gone...i thought it was something that could have been coached but unfortunaly it didnt get any better.

With Murphy i do believe there is a player in there, but whatever reason he doesnt seem to believe it himself, the odd flash of good football here and there is just not doing himself justice, could just be a lack of application, its a big season for him he needs to own it and cement his place in the team.

[bodacious benny]

I’ve always liked Murphy, and under howe he’s improved massively. How many of our loaned out players ever come back and make themselves part of our first team? Not many. It’s usually a case of when you’re loaned out your Newcastle career is over, so huge credit to him. He’s clearly an important player in the team (for popularity and ability to come into the team when needed). Every squad needs likeable players else you end up with a detestable squad like Chelsea. 3 goals and 7 assists in 21 league games last season is an excellent return for a squad player, and as said, blows Almiron out of the water. We all want an international standard RW, but I’ve no issue whatsoever having Murphy to come in and rotate with whoever hopefully comes in.

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

miggys scored goals of the quality that murph can only dream of....maybe not his best but the opener v psg...coolness personified

[Colly]

And vice versa, Murphys hit some 30 yarders Miggy can only dream of (and Miggy's "coolness" has seen him miss out on tap ins thanks to his one footedness). Regardless, we need an upgrade on both.

[bodacious benny]

miggys scored goals of the quality that murph can only dream of....maybe not his best but the opener v psg...coolness personified

Yeah but doesn’t really matter as a worldie still only counts as one goal. Over a season Murphy will give more attacking returns than Almiron.

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

And vice versa, Murphys hit some 30 yarders Miggy can only dream of (and Miggy's "coolness" has seen him miss out on tap ins thanks to his one footedness). Regardless, we need an upgrade on both.

"Murphy hit some 30 yarders"?? You sure about that mate, I do recall one from probably 25 yards when he turned with his gob wide open because he was more shocked than anyone else in the stadium that it actually went in

[Don Sholeone]

Murphy is a pretty solid mid table player, although I don't see him starting for any other club in the top 8. I'm happy for him to stick around just not as a first choice. You can't knock his graft but unfortunately just doesn't quite have the natural ability to compliment it, if he did he would be a quality PL player. I've said before with him, he plays his best football when he keeps it simple, he becomes frustrating when he gets a little carried away with himself and pings one well over the bar.

Id put Almiron ahead of him in terms of natural ability, if only he had Murphy's confidence I think we see more of the 22-23 Miggy.

[bodacious benny]

Almiron has an attacking return in 16% of his PL appearances (either goals or assists), Murphy is 18%. So when you boil it down to the basic expectation of a winger they’re more or less the same.

Matt Ritchie by comparison was 20% in PL games he delivered a goal or an assist.

Might be useful to compare them to “backup” wingers for other top 8 PL sides (excluding Man C, Arsenal and Liverpool as they’re quite far clear of the pack).

Spurs - Werner 35%, maybe an unfair comparison as he moved to Chelsea for quite a big fee if I remember, but he’s defo a rotation player at spurs now.

Man U - Antony 15%, a big (huge fee) but same returns % as Miggy and Murphy.

Chelsea - who the f*** is Chelsea’s reserve winger…?! Mudryk has an attacking return in 20% of his PL games.

Out of interest, Harvey Elliot at Liverpool (definitely a squad player albeit a more central player) has an attacking return in 16% of his PL appearances.

So actually, purely as a squad / rotation player both Almiron and Murphy are both more or less on the money it seems. You’re not going to have a back up chipping in really regular goals and assists unless you’re an elite club e.g, Man C (and even Grealish is streaky as hell).

[Don Sholeone]

[Don Sholeone]

1-0 Isak

[bodacious benny]

Nice to see Willock starting!

[Cal]

Clearly offside for their equaliser - friendlies need VAR

[bodacious benny]

Murphy doing the business again

[FOGGONTHETYNE]

was it a 30 yard screamer by any chance?

[Don Sholeone]