Jacob Murphy; one-half of the promising Murphy twins that took the Norwich youth set-up by storm back in 2013. Can he make it at Norwich?
Josh and Jacob Murphy were astonishing as the young Canaries lifted the coveted FA Youth Cup trophy against Chelsea back in 2013 and were hotly tipped to be the next big things in Norfolk.
Following their Youth Cup success, they were both awarded lucrative new professional contracts at the club in order to tie them down for the long-term as the then Norwich manager Chris Hughton clearly rated them very highly.
Josh Murphy has been seen as the better of the two wingers for a long time, well, at least by Norwich managers. He has already featured in 22 league matches for Norwich, whereas Jacob has not played a single league game for the club as of yet.
Pacey, skillful and good on the eye. Last season in the Championship Josh was given his big chance to impress Neil Adams (his old u18’s manager) and, in my opinion, he took it. He was given a decent run of Championship appearances and whenever I saw him play, he looked excellent.
There was one game in particular, Birmingham at home. Norwich found themselves losing to the away side at halftime and Adams had to make a change. He brought on the exciting young winger; he got his rewards. Josh was the catalyst for the Norwich comeback as he skinned the Birmingham fullback every single time he got the ball and created a chance.
Norwich were 2-0 down, he came on, Jerome pulled one back for the home side (Murphy was not involved). However, then, with the game at 2-1 Birmingham he picked the ball up, drove at his man, beat him, creating some space that allowed Tettey to find Redmond, who whipped it onto Jerome’s head and he made it 2-2.
He provided that natural width and direct play on the other side of the pitch. Nathan Redmond constantly offers that on the right-hand side, but last season Norwich lacked it out on the left flank. With Kyle Lafferty (a striker) and Bradley Johnson (a central midfielder) often being deployed out wide, it left Norwich with limited options going forward and meant that they were not able to stretch opposition defences as much as they should have done.
This has not been a problem this season; Robbie Brady and Matt Jarvis have given Norwich that direct attacking outlet out on the left flank and added that balance to the Canaries midfield. Due to the signings of Brady and Jarvis; the Murphy twins were both loaned out at the start of this season. Josh is currently out on loan at MK Dons in the Championship and Jacob is at Coventry in League One.
It is safe to say that both of them have had successful loan moves to date. Josh may have only played six Championship games so far but has looked impressive when he has played and has scored two goals in all competitions. Jacob’s move has been much, much more fruitful. He has played in 17 league games and scored six times from midfield.
Due to Jacob’s recent form for Coventry, many Norwich fans are starting to think that he is the better of the twins and that he deserves a chance in the Norwich side. With some fans evening suggesting Alex Neil should have kept Jacob for the Premier League season.
@ReadNorwich @CaptainCanary01 But he always does. Jacob Murphy mean while scores a hat-trick. Bad management sending him away.
— Mick (@dancelikejagger) November 21, 2015
I think come January, if people are still running out of superlatives for Jacob, bring him back into the squad and give him a chance to impress in the first team. Either that or bring him back and then let him move to the Championship on loan; a tactic which they are reportedly considering for Louis Thompson who is also on loan in League one. If Norwich use either of those options, it would be extremely beneficial to the 20-year-old’s development and could be the triggering factor to the success of his Norwich career.
Do you think Jacob should be given a chance by Alex Neil? If not, what should happen to him?
