A few months ago, Newcastle loanee Jacob Murphy was receiving pretty damning reviews from Sheffield Wednesday fans, with many hoping they’d sent him back to St James’ Park.
Today, he’s just been named Sheffield Wednesday’s ‘Player of the Month’ for February, highlighting an impressive and unexpected turnaround for the 25-year-old.
This comes after a goal, an assist and the odd man of the match display in recent games against Birmingham, Charlton and Derby, leaving a few Owls fans coming round to the idea of signing him permanently as a result.
Here’s what Sheffield Wednesday fans said about him a few months ago, compared with what they’re now saying about him following an upturn in form over February:
Owls fans in November 2019:
“Very poor player!! Should have signed Rolando Aarons instead”
“Put more effort in when you’re on the pitch & look like you want to be there then…SIMPLE!”
“Jacob Murphy is truly awful. I don’t like calling #swfc players but he offers nothing at all”
“He doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it. On or off the pitch. I think that’s been part of the problem in the relationship between him and the fans. Not only have his performances been below average but he looks like he doesn’t want to be here.”
“How bad is Murphy tho #swfc he looks like he’s never played football before in his life.”
“Wish we could send Murphy back to Newcastle, bloke looks completely lost #swfc“
“If you believe you belong in a premier league side, you should be ripping the championship apart. He hasn’t. He needs to have a word, along with a few others in the squad, and think what they really want out of their careers.”
“Don’t think he’s actually that poor just seems to lack willing.”
Owls fans in March 2020:
“Jacob Murphy is the only player with the ability to kick a football for Wednesday”
“Been easily our best player in 2020.”
“Well done @JacobMurphy95 deserved, one of few who have performed lately!”
“Murphy has been excellent these last few weeks
“Jacob Murphy needs to improve his crossing, gain different ways to strike the ball and you comfortably have a PL level winger right there.”
“Murphy been mint in 2020. Imagine disagreeing.”
“Most underrated player – Murphy“
“Murphy best player on the pitch today for us.
I’m not for a second suggesting we should no bring him back to Newcastle and make him a part of Steve Bruce’s first-team plans, but hopefully his run of form in the Championship can help us find a buyer this summer.
Let’s hope he can add to his 5 goals this season in the final few months of his spell at Hillsborough, with us likely to cash in on him this summer no matter what happens.
Either way, the club look set to make a significant loss on the £10m paid for him in 2017, but it’s good to see him finding some form after a difficult few years on the pitch.
