After Jacob Murphy signed for Newcastle last Wednesday it’s been a hectic week for the 22-year-old England U21 winger and he was clearly happy after the game yesterday to get the famous Newcastle shirt on his back for the first time.
And it was in front of his Geordie parents too.
Jacob says it was a proud moment for both him and his parents and we have a feeling this lad is going to be a very popular player on Tyneside certainly he seems absolutely committed to be (very) successful at the club he supported as a 10-month-old baby before he could even say the word football.
🙂
Jacob Murphy in action for Newcastle at Preston yesterday
By the way here’s the proof of that last statement with Jacob obviously the one on the right.
Josh and Jacob Murphy at about 10 months old
Jacob signed for around £10M with £2M add-ons depending on he performs for Newcastle in the future and it seems a good deal for Newcastle in today’s crazy transfer market – seemingly created by the massive money Premier Leagues clubs are now getting.
Murphy was introduced at the break and it looks like the Newcastle support was closer to 3,000 than the 2,000 we reported yesterday – fantastic support from the Geordie faithful.
This is what Jacob said on the Newcastle website after playing his very first game for Newcastle United:
“It was a relief to finally pull it on. It’s taken me all week to get it on, but it was nice to look down at my chest and see the badge.”
“I know I’ve got a job to do for the team, and I know the expectations from the fans when you’re wearing this club crest.”
“It was nice to get the jersey on. It was a proud moment for myself and my family, and it was good to get some minutes under my belt too.”
“You’ve got to make an impact straight away. I need to gain that fitness back, and then I’ll be raring to go soon.”
“It’s been good. It’s been a little bit tough to start with as the boys are a few weeks ahead of me so it’s been a bit hundred-miles-an-hour to start with, but I’m slowly getting into things.”
“All the boys need to get up to speed fitness-wise and we look forward to the games, because that’s ultimately where we’re going to get that fitness.”
“I’ve only had three sessions this pre-season, so it was good to get minutes today and get my legs ticking over, and I look forward to Wednesday and hopefully some more minutes then.”
“It’s healthy. It’ll keep everyone on their toes,” he said of the competition for places on the flanks.”
“You know you can’t rest on your laurels here – you could be in one game, but the next game you could be out.”
“Everyone knows they’ve got to fight for their place.”
“It raises everyone’s games – not just for myself but the other boys in my position – and it’s competition I look forward to having.”
“I just want to get as many minutes as I can, and get some victories in these pre-season games and ideally learn my new teammates’ styles.”
“And for them to get to know me a bit better, and then hopefully we’ll be raring to go,”
“I know I’ve got to put my flag in the sand, but I’m more than capable of doing it and it’s just a case of taking that chance when it comes.”
Newcastle’s preseason games come thick and fast from now on and we have four games coming up rather quickly in the next 15 days.
Here’s the schedule.
[table “66” not found /]Jacob will have a fight on his hands to nail down a first team starting place next season.
But that’s just exactly how manager Rafa Benitez likes it and has planned it.
Comments welcome.
4 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2017 at 8:29 AM
Comment #1Seems to absolutely love the club, a far cry from your Jaanmatts, Debuchys and Sissokos, not to mention your Remy’s and Cabayes, throw in a Wijnaldum and Marveaux in to that mix.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 23, 2017 at 8:33 AM
Comment #2Jib made a good point about playing Championship sides as they are a week ahead in their preparations which in such a short pre season probably makes a world of difference.
chicousa
Jul 23, 2017 at 8:38 AM
Comment #3Jail,
It IS a far cry from the “stepping-stone” days. Long may it continue!
Well it is getting late (early AM) over here on my side of planet, so will sign off with one final word in addition to goodnight….that word/name is “Carvalho”! 😀
Mister Tuff
Jul 23, 2017 at 8:40 AM
Comment #4Had harboured thoughts of catching Spurs on the hop, before they really got their team sorted out.
After their victory 4 -2 over PSG reality dawns and we are in for a hard game. Our present team/squad will probably get walloped.