Josh Murphy dubbed 'one of the best' Cardiff City's

Josh Murphy dubbed 'one of the best'

Cardiff City's £11million man Josh Murphy was in Oxford United colours at the weekend, playing in a pre-season friendly against AFC Wimbledon.

The 27-year-old winger was released by the Bluebirds for nothing this summer just four years after Neil Warnock had signed him for that record fee.

Murphy dazzled at times for Cardiff, but also frustrated the fans terribly with his inconsistency and in the end a parting of the ways was inevitable.

Oxford boss Karl Robinson said: "He’s one of the best wingers I’ve worked with. He’s in one of the best places he’s been. Our board supported this financially, which was incredible. We’ll see how it goes, let’s just say it’s not a trial.”

Oxford United sign Josh Murphy

The problem for Josh was the £11 million.

He was a £5 million young English gamble that we paid far too much for. There were glimpses of class but that's all they were glimpses.

He'll still be inconsistent, but against weaker defenders

On the downward spiral . Honestly thought he was going into good things when he first signed.

Well if he’s shining in training and showing a good attitude then yes he probably is one of the best he’s trained with.

The test will be if he can play at a consistent standard for the season. He may well do.

He’s a bit of a luxury player. Sure he can pop up with something good and make or score a goal.
But he never tracks back. Never particularly works hard off the ball. At our level where players are good but have weaknesses we need to be the sum of all the parts. And his weaknesses make him unworkable in a team like ours. Even if SM was coaching him. He still wouldn’t fit. Because for all the attacking mindset. The players still work hard for each other on and off the ball.