' Josh Murphy? '

Josh Murphy has to start

Tuesday 23rd July 2019

By Tom Coleman

One of the brightest performers on tour this summer, Josh Murphy quite simply has to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Cardiff next season.

The winger enjoyed a somewhat mixed campaign in the Premier League last term, starting 22 games in total, earning three goals and two assists, but was firmly on song here.

After winning and scoring City's penalty in the opening win over San Antonio, the former Norwich star was arguably Cardiff's most creative attacking outlet in the games with New Mexico and Valladolid. A winning spot-kick in the shootout against the latter arguably provided a fitting end to a largely successful tour.

Josh Murphy has to be one of the first names on the teamsheet next season (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
His pace and trickery, as well as the way he reads the game in the final third, makes him a potentially devastating prospect in the Championship, and Warnock will have surely been impressed with what he saw from the 24-year-old, who arguably still has his best years ahead of him.

Junior Hoilett, who linked up with the squad for the last game, and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who also showed encouraging moments, will both give Warnock some strong options out wide next season.

But providing he's on top of his game, Murphy simply has to start against Wigan on the opening day.

The last sentence sums it up well - 'providing he's on top of his game'. Too often last season he disappeared in games after previously looking like one of our very best players.

The last sentence sums it up well - 'providing he's on top of his game'. Too often last season he disappeared in games after previously looking like one of our very best players.

I agree.
If it was a choice between JM or NML it would be NML all day for me.

At his best (Newcastle at home last season) he looks unplayable but at other times he looks lazy and uninterested (Spurs at home) and exposes us defensively.

It will be interesting to see how he performs this season because he needs a more consistent level, if he achieves that he has the ability to be a real star in the Championship.

Josh Murphy unplayable? Madness

Josh Murphy unplayable? Madness

Against Newcastle at home he was excellent. Didn’t see that form a lot though.

Josh Murphy unplayable? Madness

It was only for one game

Went past his full back virtually everytime he had the ball, full back was booked and should have been sent off before half time, then got substituted.

Ability is certainly there but I have my doubts he can do it often enough, hope I'm wrong.

I think we will see a lot more from Murphy this season. He won’t have to do as much defending (hopefully) and his pace will be much more effective against championship opposition.

Yes the lad does seem to run hot and cold but at his best he is a match winner.

I think we will see a lot more from Murphy this season. He won’t have to do as much defending (hopefully) and his pace will be much more effective against championship opposition.

I agree.
I think him and NML will be running defenders ragged this year and I can’t wait to see it.
Surely (with Reid up there too) we’ll have more pace than most up front in the championship.

For me he starts.

Wasnt a fan at all last season

I think drop level of play this season may be more in his favour.

Not sure if it's a confidence issue or he just switches off in most games at stupid times

I think we will see a lot more from Murphy this season. He won’t have to do as much defending (hopefully) and his pace will be much more effective against championship opposition.

I agree.
I think him and NML will be running defenders ragged this year and I can’t wait to see it.
Surely (with Reid up there too) we’ll have more pace than most up front in the championship.

Yea that’s what I’m thinking. NML, Murphy, Reid and a hopefully get a striker in with a bit of pace and high work rate (not a dig at zohore before anyone has a meltdown) and that should cause defenders a few problems.

I think he is better suited in the centre with a free role than out on the wing
I think he will turn Into a striker in the future

H's class for half hour then fades.If he improves his conditioning he'll tear this league apart.