We may have been struggling to score goals this season, but three players who left Newcastle Untied this summer haven’t been, with Daryl Murphy, Siem De Jong and Sammy Ameobi finding the next 15 times in total since joining their new clubs.
Here’s how the trio have got on since securing moves to Nottingham Forest, Ajax and Bolton respectively:
Daryl Murphy
The 34-year old did a solid job for us in our Championship campaign last season and secured a move to Nottingham Forest following our promotion. Since then, he’s been a revelation for Forest, scoring 6 goals in 13 games – including a winner against Sunderland in the Stadium of Light – which has taken his new side within a few points of a play-off position.
Daryl Murphy's 86th minute winner at Sunderland last night..
Once a Mag, always a Mag. #NUFC #SAFC ⚫️⚪️pic.twitter.com/dpwcu67uqP
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) September 12, 2017
He’s also scored 3 goals for Republic of Ireland in the mean time, proving there’s still life in the old dog!
Siem De Jong
Given our distinct lack of ‘number 10’s’, a few were disappointed to see us let the injury riddled De Jong go over the summer.
In fairness, a move back to his homeland and club of his heart Ajax was probably a wise move for all parties, and it’s paying dividends.
79’ ⚽️ GOAL! Siem de Jong 1-2.#ajax #wilaja#dejong #eredivisie pic.twitter.com/R7jws0joR4
— Dutch Goals And More (@DutchGoalsAMore) October 28, 2017
He has an impressive 6 goals and 3 assists in just 8 appearances for Ajax. He’s made a habit of scoring from the bench in league games in the Eredivisie, but has take his chance when handed a start in the Dutch Cup, bagging three goals and three assists in the KNVB Cup.
Football in Holland is slower and played with less intensity than it is in England, so whilst these stats aren’t representative of what he would have achieved with us in the Premier League, it shows he really does have an eye for goal.
Good to see him back fit and doing what he does best in his homeland.
Sammy Ameobi
Sammy was released over the summer and secured a return to newly promoted Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a permanent deal.
They had an awful start to the season, but Sammy has been instrumental to their recent run of form that has seen them go unbeaten in 5 games and leapfrog Sunderland to move off the foot of the table.
Ameobi has scored three goals in his last 5 outings and with that, has been nominated for Championship player of the month!
He’s scored a tidy finish away at Fulham and two long range rakers against Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland (at the Stadium of Light too!):
Happy to have this man back, @OfficialBWFC fans?
Sammy Ameobi netted Goal of the Weekend on his first home appearance of the season. ? pic.twitter.com/6M6G3mQXhm
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) October 16, 2017
Sammy Ameobi puts Bolton in front. 0-1. Poor defending by Fulham. #FFCvBWFC #FFC #FulhamFC pic.twitter.com/wfjANMjxpQ
— joenekan (@joenekan1) October 28, 2017