‘Unfortunate’ Ian Wright says Newcastle fans have been way too harsh with £12m player

Newcastle United are in the midst of what is perhaps their best season in many fans’ lifetimes.

Indeed, Newcastle have already won a trophy this season, and barring any big bumps in the road, the Magpies will be playing Champions League football next season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	34	25	7	2	80	32	48	82
2	ArsenalArsenal	34	18	13	3	63	29	34	67
3	NewcastleNewcastle	34	19	5	10	65	44	21	62
4	Man CityManchester City	34	18	7	9	66	43	23	61
5	ChelseaChelsea	34	17	9	8	59	40	19	60
6	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	33	18	6	9	53	39	14	60

Of course, throughout this campaign, there have been some standout performers for Newcastle.

Alexander Isak is arguably the best striker in the world at this point, while Bruno Guimaraes continues to amaze.

However, in recent months, an unexpected star has risen at St James’ Park as Jacob Murphy has improved massively.

Speaking on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, Ian Wright has been discussing Murphy’s rise, and he’s noted that Newcastle fans, at times, have been too harsh with the winger.

Newcastle fans have been harsh with Jacob Murphy

Wright took note of some of the conversations that have happened around Jacob Murphy in recent times.

The pundit noticed that many fans had questioned why Murphy was in the team, asking for him to be replaced, but now, those fans have been proven wrong as the £12m man has stepped up massively.

“Someone like Jacob Murphy, he’s been unfortunate, he was the name who was banded about, people were saying ‘what’s Jacob Murphy doing here, if we could spend money he would be out.’ Look how great he’s played. They do need to go to the next level of player, but for me it’s vitally important that Newcastle get into the top four and progress,” Wright said.

Jacob Murphy compared to Miguel Almiron

Newcastle fans have often called for Murphy to be replace, and the club have even tried to make a signing to that end.

Indeed, Newcastle bid for Anthony Elanga last summer, and while that deal didn’t go through, the Magpies clearly wanted a new right winger.

Murphy has, of course, been brilliant this season, but there is a case to make that he should still be replaced.

Indeed, while this is the best spell of Murphy’s career, it may be nothing more than just an incredible purple patch.

Let’s not forget, a few seasons ago, Miguel Almiron had a similar run of form, putting up some remarkable numbers in the 2022/23 season.

Murphy has exceeded what Almiron did that year, but, the same sort of warning must be heeded here, Newcastle can’t rely on a player who has been rather average their whole career just because he’s enjoyed a truly world-class six month spell.

As harsh as it is, Murphy probably does still need replacing at Newcastle.

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