At 22, Murphy has time on his side, but a few fans have been slightly concerned by his lack of involvement and lack of impact on the team when he does get his rare moment on the pitch.
It’s a funny one given he was our most expensive summer signing, but great to have some light shed on his situation here from someone who will know him well.
With this in mind, we reached out to Norwich City fan Andrew, who gave us this interesting insight into a player he knew very well from his time at Carrow Road:
“I think the culture shock could be a huge thing. I means he’s basically still an academy kid the way we raise them through here. Not to mention playing his whole life with his twin to being 6 hours away!
“Like I said when he was sold, I kinda thought it was a bit much for a very raw kid with little top level football
“I think he’s also a guy that will train very well and hard – but not sure if impact sub is really his forte. He’s not the 10 min spark guy, he’s been the 90 minute up and down winger more so.
“Give him time, I think the Championship to Premier League stepping stone is huge and he could be a little wide eyed to it all.
“Hopefully he’s been signed for the long-term potential he offers and if he gets settled and gets the fans behind him, he will start to show talent”.
Some really intriguing points here. The culture shock could be very real, not helped from the fact he was initially ‘bigged up’ a little too much as the ‘boyhood fan’ who was ready to do damage for us in the Premier League.
After all, he’s 22 and has only played one full season in the Championship, with most of his career prior to that involving loan moves to League one sides.
As an England U-21 international who did damage in the Championship last season, he’s clearly a talent and one who has much more to give, but this is a fascinating explanation as to why he may have struggled to hit the ground running at NUFC thus far and may explain a few things.
Time to reman patient. Hopefully he will come good.
