The way Newcastle United plied their trade last season after getting demoted to the English second tier was intriguing. Under the tutelage of Rafael Benitez, the Magpies kept hitting the right chords, yielded productive results and not only secured an automatic promotion spot but did that in the grandest of manners by clinching the Championship silverware as they leapfrogged past Brighton & Hove Albion right at the death.
Benitez isn’t unaware of the animosity which the Premier League has on offer and is believed to be all set to strengthen his arsenal over the course of the summer transfer window to ensure that his outfit remains in the rendezvous zone next term.
However, having released some of his players, he has a curious case with respect to one of the strikers he has at his disposal. Daryl Murphy, one of the strikers of the club, divides the opinion amongst the Newcastle United faithful for a reason or two.
Murphy had delivered for good in the black and white striped shirt ever since making a move to St. James’ Park from Ipswich Town last summer. The 34-year-old bagged five goals and registered an assist in the Championship in 15 appearances (8 of which were as a substitute) and filled the void up front when Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic were not available after the New Year. He did his job with sheer professionalism and did render a helping hand to the former Napoli manager in securing a promotion.
While his experience came to the rescue, it wasn’t very hard to decipher that he has waned to a significant extent. His passes went haywire, he failed to hold the ball properly up front like he did when he was in his prime and has lost his pace over the years. Being in the wrong side of the thirties and the likelihood of Benitez beefing up his attack in the summer, he is unlikely to get much game time under his belt in the upcoming campaign and his pessimism about his future with the Toons sums up the scenario.
The fans and the club quite rightfully applaud the efforts he put in for them during the season which just concluded but it is evident that his days at the Tyneside are severely numbered. Newcastle United would be vouching for younger, fresher and hungrier faces and Murphy is no longer someone who could offer them the sharpness they are in the dire need of, in the English top flight.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored.com
