Comments on: Murphy and AJ on the bench? http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/11/murphy-and-aj-on-the-bench/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:11:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dan http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/11/murphy-and-aj-on-the-bench/comment-page-1/#comment-6621 Dan Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:23:12 +0000 http://hammyend.com/?p=4118#comment-6621 I don't know - I think Murphy's still got some real creativity in him. He's laid on a couple of goals this season with some perceptive passes that have started moves. I must admit I haven't seen him chasing after referees all that much (he's always struck me as quite restrained in that regard, perhaps on Roy's instruction). He's not an automatic pick but he's been key for us in the past and I think he can be again. With the likes of Duff now in our midfield, perhaps the burden of creativity won't fall squarely on his shoulders any longer. I don’t know – I think Murphy’s still got some real creativity in him. He’s laid on a couple of goals this season with some perceptive passes that have started moves. I must admit I haven’t seen him chasing after referees all that much (he’s always struck me as quite restrained in that regard, perhaps on Roy’s instruction). He’s not an automatic pick but he’s been key for us in the past and I think he can be again. With the likes of Duff now in our midfield, perhaps the burden of creativity won’t fall squarely on his shoulders any longer.

]]> By: MJL http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/11/murphy-and-aj-on-the-bench/comment-page-1/#comment-6620 MJL Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:54:05 +0000 http://hammyend.com/?p=4118#comment-6620 It's obviously always tough when an athlete's career is winding down (and they lose a step or two physically), but unlike some older players that make up for it with a heightened sense of smarts – I don’t think Murphy has displayed that craftiness this season. I don’t remember him ever making so many bad passes in past years, and his play during the Wolves away match was an embarrassment (even compared with the other players, which is saying a lot). That frustration is also showing up with him taking it out on referees and whining about missed calls. Hopefully getting a chance to watch how the team’s been playing will help. And I’m not saying he shouldn’t play, but with all of the other midfielders stepping up their games over the past weeks, I don’t think he should be an automatic lock for every important match. It’s obviously always tough when an athlete’s career is winding down (and they lose a step or two physically), but unlike some older players that make up for it with a heightened sense of smarts – I don’t think Murphy has displayed that craftiness this season. I don’t remember him ever making so many bad passes in past years, and his play during the Wolves away match was an embarrassment (even compared with the other players, which is saying a lot). That frustration is also showing up with him taking it out on referees and whining about missed calls. Hopefully getting a chance to watch how the team’s been playing will help. And I’m not saying he shouldn’t play, but with all of the other midfielders stepping up their games over the past weeks, I don’t think he should be an automatic lock for every important match.

]]> By: Dan http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/11/murphy-and-aj-on-the-bench/comment-page-1/#comment-6619 Dan Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:33:03 +0000 http://hammyend.com/?p=4118#comment-6619 Think that's a bit harsh on Murphy. Yes, he hasn't been at last year's levels but a lot of sides have put a man on him to prevent him from having as much influence as last season. If anything, I felt he didn't get forward enough in the early part of the season but that was a general team malaise that didn't help us when we weren't finding the net with regularity. Think that’s a bit harsh on Murphy. Yes, he hasn’t been at last year’s levels but a lot of sides have put a man on him to prevent him from having as much influence as last season. If anything, I felt he didn’t get forward enough in the early part of the season but that was a general team malaise that didn’t help us when we weren’t finding the net with regularity.

]]> By: Twitted by fulhambuzztap http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/11/murphy-and-aj-on-the-bench/comment-page-1/#comment-6618 Twitted by fulhambuzztap Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:28:59 +0000 http://hammyend.com/?p=4118#comment-6618 [...] This post was Twitted by fulhambuzztap [...] [...] This post was Twitted by fulhambuzztap [...]

]]> By: MJL http://hammyend.com/index.php/2009/11/murphy-and-aj-on-the-bench/comment-page-1/#comment-6617 MJL Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:12:57 +0000 http://hammyend.com/?p=4118#comment-6617 I agree that AJ should return up front once he's healthy -- but with two more home matches next week (a must-win against Sofia and a tougher test versus Sunderland), it certainly makes sense to give them both additonal rest. Regarding Murphy, even pre-injury he's been a dissapointment and I don't think it's a surprise that our strong run has been with him in the stands. I think the other players defer to him too much -- and Greening's arrival has allowed Duff, Gera, and Dempsey to take more control. And a bench surprise -- I bet we see David Elm as a sub at some point during the next three matches. Time to get him in the mix before assessing our transfer window needs. I agree that AJ should return up front once he’s healthy — but with two more home matches next week (a must-win against Sofia and a tougher test versus Sunderland), it certainly makes sense to give them both additonal rest. Regarding Murphy, even pre-injury he’s been a dissapointment and I don’t think it’s a surprise that our strong run has been with him in the stands. I think the other players defer to him too much — and Greening’s arrival has allowed Duff, Gera, and Dempsey to take more control.

And a bench surprise — I bet we see David Elm as a sub at some point during the next three matches. Time to get him in the mix before assessing our transfer window needs.

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