Jamie Murphy, time for one last chance?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?


The change in the quality of Murphys play now he's settled in, for me only goes to show how tremendous is the achievement of Stefan Scougall to play like he has from day one..
 
MobileBlade said:
Two lessons in this thread. Never listen to Deadly D'Jaffo and sit up and take notice when Bergen Blade speaks.
Click to expand...

Cheers, although I don't get everything right. I think we as fans should try to look for reasons why a player isn't playing well. Is he crap or could he be underperforming? Are things in place for him to perform to the maximum of his ability? Is the team well balanced and is the player being asked to do things he's good at?

Following Weir's dismissal I wrote a piece on the squad the new manager inherited. The one (in particular) I was too harsh on was Ryan Flynn. He's clearly done better than I thought he was capable of. Before his recent spell I've watched him...

  • - struggle to get crosses in (in some games none at all)
  • - get outmuscled, outpaced and caught up with
  • - pass the ball backwards
  • - do well defensively
I read with interest someone say that Flynn had a bit of an argument with Clough after being subbed in one of Clough's first games. Nigel was clearly not happy with how Flynn had played. It took me by surprise that Flynn had answered back (seems too nice to do that), but maybe the episode lead to a chat that helped clarify what Clough wanted and expected him to do.

I think he's also been helped by

  • - a much higher tempo
  • - a lot more emphasis on counter attacking (we no longer wait for the opposition to get back when we win the ball in good areas)
  • - being encouraged (I assume) to run on the ball more often
  • - running at his full back towards the box/goal, not just down the line
  • - Brayford overlapping
  • - Murphy doing a fabulous job stretching teams with his pace and running.
  • - Central midfield looking stronger in the 4-5-1 formation

We'll have to see what Clough does with Flynn in the summer. I'm expecting promotion next season, should we offer him more than a one year contract?

In any case he's the one (in particular) I was too harsh on in this article:

http://scandinavianblades.webs.com/apps/blog/show/34037729-advice-for-our-new-manager
 
Bergen Blade said:
Cheers, although I don't get everything right. I think we as fans should try to look for reasons why a player isn't playing well. Is he crap or could he be underperforming? Are things in place for him to perform to the maximum of his ability? Is the team well balanced and is the player being asked to do things he's good at?

Following Weir's dismissal I wrote a piece on the squad the new manager inherited. The one (in particular) I was too harsh on was Ryan Flynn. He's clearly done better than I thought he was capable of. Before his recent spell I've watched him...

  • - struggle to get crosses in (in some games none at all)
  • - get outmuscled, outpaced and caught up with
  • - pass the ball backwards
  • - do well defensively
I read with interest someone say that Flynn had a bit of an argument with Clough after being subbed in one of Clough's first games. Nigel was clearly not happy with how Flynn had played. It took me by surprise that Flynn had answered back (seems too nice to do that), but maybe the episode lead to a chat that helped clarify what Clough wanted and expected him to do.

I think he's also been helped by

  • - a much higher tempo
  • - a lot more emphasis on counter attacking (we no longer wait for the opposition to get back when we win the ball in good areas)
  • - being encouraged (I assume) to run on the ball more often
  • - running at his full back towards the box/goal, not just down the line
  • - Brayford overlapping
  • - Murphy doing a fabulous job stretching teams with his pace and running.
  • - Central midfield looking stronger in the 4-5-1 formation

We'll have to see what Clough does with Flynn in the summer. I'm expecting promotion next season, should we offer him more than a one year contract?

In any case he's the one (in particular) I was too harsh on in this article:

http://scandinavianblades.webs.com/apps/blog/show/34037729-advice-for-our-new-manager
Click to expand...

Sums up my feelings on Flynn. I'd written him off as weak, feeble and could never beat a man. He now looks like a completely different player. Great foot work, uses the ball well and beats his man regularly and gets in goal scoring positions. He got an amazing reception from the fans when he was subbed off and Clough, Morgan, Garner and all the other coaches were all shaking his hand and hugging him. Well done Flynny.
 
Bergen Blade said:
Cheers, although I don't get everything right. I think we as fans should try to look for reasons why a player isn't playing well. Is he crap or could he be underperforming? Are things in place for him to perform to the maximum of his ability? Is the team well balanced and is the player being asked to do things he's good at?

Following Weir's dismissal I wrote a piece on the squad the new manager inherited. The one (in particular) I was too harsh on was Ryan Flynn. He's clearly done better than I thought he was capable of. Before his recent spell I've watched him...

  • - struggle to get crosses in (in some games none at all)
  • - get outmuscled, outpaced and caught up with
  • - pass the ball backwards
  • - do well defensively
I read with interest someone say that Flynn had a bit of an argument with Clough after being subbed in one of Clough's first games. Nigel was clearly not happy with how Flynn had played. It took me by surprise that Flynn had answered back (seems too nice to do that), but maybe the episode lead to a chat that helped clarify what Clough wanted and expected him to do.

I think he's also been helped by

  • - a much higher tempo
  • - a lot more emphasis on counter attacking (we no longer wait for the opposition to get back when we win the ball in good areas)
  • - being encouraged (I assume) to run on the ball more often
  • - running at his full back towards the box/goal, not just down the line
  • - Brayford overlapping
  • - Murphy doing a fabulous job stretching teams with his pace and running.
  • - Central midfield looking stronger in the 4-5-1 formation

We'll have to see what Clough does with Flynn in the summer. I'm expecting promotion next season, should we offer him more than a one year contract?

In any case he's the one (in particular) I was too harsh on in this article:

http://scandinavianblades.webs.com/apps/blog/show/34037729-advice-for-our-new-manager
Click to expand...

Makes interesting reading Bergen, not too far off the mark with most players mate. Personally I think Flynn has shown enough to be retained. Who knows why players change and adapt? Most importantly we're now seeing in Flynn and Murphy two players who are positive additions to our squad.

Thing is mate, we all make assessments of players that prove to be wrong. A lot here thought Howard was a bit player at best. He's played five successive matches and conceded one goal, and in the process has looked a very sound goalkeeper. His kicking distribution needs work, but Howard is aware of this so at least we assume he'll work on this. Against Forest he was immense, and has offered us the chance to see what he's like between now and the end of the season.

Since you wrote your assessment of the squad we are a changed proposition mate. A far more threatening, attack-minded team who only lack at least one or two quality forwards. I'm sure that Nigel will address this either via a loan or in the summer. That apart, all good stuff Bergen UTB
 
Bergen Blade said:
I think we as fans should try to look for reasons why a player isn't playing well. Is he crap or could he be underperforming?
Click to expand...

Fair comment, but that is why Murphy's improvement has amazed me so much, while Flynn's hasn't. The fundamental qualities just weren't apparent at all in Murphy, whereas Flynn seemed inhibited.

Murphy in his first six months seemed unable to make simple passes, had no idea when to release the ball or when to run his man. He also seemed to have little idea where the dead ball line was (it's behind you Jamie - goal kick). I realise confidence makes a huge difference, but I didn't think he could be as effective as he has been in the last few weeks. It's as if he's developed a footballing intelligence.
 
Pittsburg Blade said:
Cracking old thread this one. Thanks.
Click to expand...

To be honest i have been wrong about many things in life and this has been one of those. In all fairness his first 12 months he was abysmal, and I fully expected his time at the Blades to end with the appointment of Clough, so im delighted that he has proved myself and quite a few others wrong
 
I don't think anyone could see this improvement coming like it has.

He's a bit like the spotty, plain (inded proper ugly) lass at school that you wouldn't touch with a bargie at the school dance but you see her 10 years later and she's now way out of your league. Come summer he may, literally, be out of our league.
 
Grecian2000 said:
I don't think anyone could see this improvement coming like it has.

He's a bit like the spotty, plain (inded proper ugly) lass at school that you wouldn't touch with a bargie at the school dance but you see her 10 years later and she's now way out of your league. Come summer he may, literally, be out of our league.
Click to expand...

You may be right Grecian. I'm sure his performance will have been noted by the clubs 'losing' their managers. I like to think that Nigel is more like his Dad, and will get more job satisfaction in taking the Blades up the leagues.
 

sitwell said:
Loving the humble pie on this thread, glad I didn't partake :)
Click to expand...

I wouldnt say humble pie. People were telling it how they saw it. He wasnt playing well & he deserved the stick. However its been another NC masterstroke with him & Flynn. Its like 2 new signings!
 
Sirius said:
You may be right Grecian. I'm sure his performance will have been noted by the clubs 'losing' their managers. I like to think that Nigel is more like his Dad, and will get more job satisfaction in taking the Blades up the leagues.
Click to expand...

Actually Sirius I meant Murphy moving on. Until you mentioned it I'd never even considered that NC would leave before completing the task in hand. You've got me thinking now!

However, after a moments thought, I don't think he will unless the summer proves that the club has lesser ambitions than himself. Interesting times ahead . . .
 
The tragic thing is is that we've had probably a dozen wingers at Bramall Lane with Murphy's ability but we haven't had the set up to play to their strengths in 10 maybe 15 years. Too much of a culture-shift causing some imbalance whereby a winger is equally judged on his ability to "track back" as his ability to play the wing, in my opinion. Nigel Clough is an old-fashioned manager with old-fashioned values and I'm finding it wonderfully refreshing to put to rest some of the "philosophical" bullshittery that has plagued football (particularly lower-league) for a bit too long now. Football is a simple game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Isaw Joeshaw
Most impressive opposition players last season .
2
Replies
44
Views
3K
Groucho Blade
Groucho Blade
Fjortoft's Aeroplane
The squad rebuild: Phase 3
2 3
Replies
89
Views
8K
Danetheblade
Danetheblade
Nick Jansky
One Club City
2 3
Replies
67
Views
7K
Houston_Blade
Houston_Blade
Isaw Joeshaw
Last Night’s Goals
Replies
10
Views
1K
Inter_blade83
Inter_blade83
R
Team for Oxford
2 3 4
Replies
92
Views
7K
SUFC Guy
SUFC Guy

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom