andycap Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 Considering Murphy is nursing an achilles problem it makes no sense in not starting him. He's coming on in games when our striker and best left winger have been taken off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 Should have started today I thought. Would have caused more problems with his speed and ball carrying against their high line, particularly with Woltemade in there. Can't be playing Murphy in these sorts of games. Should be used against lesser opposition that don't press or close down well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 28 minutes ago, The College Dropout said: Was hoping he would start today. then I was hoping he would be a menace off the bench. I’ll admit. I’ve never loved his profile. But his touch and close control, I don’t love it man. None of our wingers look like they can jink around a fullback. His first touch has looked iffy in the games I've seen, but I suppose Howe thought his strengths were more than enough to compensate. He's been unlucky with not getting any assists so far, but it does seem a lot of money for a player with rough edges. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andycap Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 1 minute ago, KaKa said: Should have started today I thought. Would have caused more problems with his speed and ball carrying against their high line, particularly with Woltemade in there. Can't be playing Murphy in these sorts of games. Should be used against lesser opposition that don't press or close down well. Only way Murphy should play is if we are setup to be ultra defensive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 5 minutes ago, andycap said: Only way Murphy should play is if we are setup to be ultra defensive. I disagree. He's a terrible outlet because he doesn't carry the ball with confidence. And if we defend deep and win the ball back in those areas, he's not going to have the composure to play the ball out from there. I prefer him in instances the other team is ultra defensive and he's not put under pressure during our build up play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnNUFC Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 Spent £55m on him. Shouldn’t be getting left on the bench and having hoofs directed in his general direction as our main attacking play when he’s on the field. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 25 minutes ago, TRon said: His first touch has looked iffy in the games I've seen, but I suppose Howe thought his strengths were more than enough to compensate. He's been unlucky with not getting any assists so far, but it does seem a lot of money for a player with rough edges. I was hoping he would be better with the touch and on the dribble tbh. I said it earlier in the week and I’ll say it again. Needs to play with Nick W. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 I'm still worried that he's a pace merchant with nae skill. His ability on the ball in the admittedly short glimpses we've had of him has looked poorer than I anticipated. I also think he will be one of those players who benefits from a run in the team. This 60, 30, 60, 30 lark isn't doing him, or us, an favours at the minute. He's also worked the complete opposite pattern to Woltemade so far which won't have helped. Eddie will have a plan for him, it'll all be deliberate, but so far it hasn't worked and we could really do with him coming to the fore in a big way soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufc123 Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 30 minutes ago, HaydnNUFC said: Spent £55m on him. Shouldn’t be getting left on the bench and having hoofs directed in his general direction as our main attacking play when he’s on the field. Hes supposed to be one of our key signings. Not sure what the plan is here. Easing him in, or Howe doesnt trust him yet? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallowgate Toon Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 The plan feels a bit weird with him. We clearly were going to hit on the break today, a la Barca, so you'd think he'd be nailed on to start as that perfectly suits his current skillset, yet we give him more minutes without a striker again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andycap Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 1 hour ago, KaKa said: I disagree. He's a terrible outlet because he doesn't carry the ball with confidence. And if we defend deep and win the ball back in those areas, he's not going to have the composure to play the ball out from there. I prefer him in instances the other team is ultra defensive and he's not put under pressure during our build up play. Howe always plays him when he wants a defensive setup though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibierski Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 Not sure we can use ‘ease him in’ when Elanga is probably the fittest player we have in the squad alongside Gordon. Him pressing like he did against Barcelona, with Wolte through middle and Gordon LW would’ve been great today. Our best two pressing games have been against Barcelona and Liverpool, and Elanga started both and should’ve had assists in both if we had a striker starting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted September 28, 2025 Share Posted September 28, 2025 4 minutes ago, andycap said: Howe always plays him when he wants a defensive setup though. Yeah, I'm not a fan of it though. He's disciplined defensively, but I think it causes far more problems when trying to escape pressure and get further up the pitch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted September 29, 2025 Share Posted September 29, 2025 Aye Elanga isn’t as diligent defensively as I thought he might be. All that sprinting is tiring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54 Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 Thought he was quality in that half, involved in both goals, and had their left back in all sorts of issues. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberto2005 Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 He's been a threat for sure, he looks a bit awkward at times technically. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcastle Fan Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 Did well to win the penalty but fuck me his overall play and decision making needs some work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 How was he in the first half? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smal Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 (edited) 2 minutes ago, The College Dropout said: How was he in the first half? mixed to poor edit: excellent cross that lead to the goal tho Edited October 1, 2025 by Smal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 2 minutes ago, Smal said: mixed to poor edit: excellent cross that lead to the goal tho Ok. Similar to the second half I thought. Great pace at times but also the touch and such can be really off Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54 Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 4 minutes ago, The College Dropout said: How was he in the first half? He was instrumental to the first two goals, and put in several really threatening balls, and had their full-back on toast. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 Also won the penalty, his overall play is frustrating but like if you directly contribute to 2 goals it’s hard to criticise too much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 Ahhh ok Murphy-like Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenlau88210 Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 Technically lacking, but with tremendous pace and good movement and decent delivery (usually) he was a constant threat in the 1st half Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCormick Posted October 1, 2025 Share Posted October 1, 2025 9 minutes ago, The College Dropout said: How was he in the first half? He put in good performance imo; quick, direct, and provided some good crosses. Surprised to see some of the criticism. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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