Jacob Murphy reflects on his first year at Newcastle '“ ahead of a push for a starting XI

Having found his feet at Newcastle United, Jacob Murphy's looking to get into his stride this season.
Jacob MurphyJacob Murphy
Jacob Murphy

The winger joined the club a year ago from Norwich City in a £12million deal.

Murphy met his new team-mates for the first time at Carlton House, the club’s training base in Ireland.

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A year on, the team is again in Co Kildare ahead of tonight’s friendly against Dublin side St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.

“This is where I signed everything, and it’s good to be back here,” said Murphy.

Murphy made 25 Premier League appearances – and scored one goal – last season.

And the boyhood United fan has had time to reflect on his first 12 months at St James’s Park.

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“I had a long summer to reflect on things,” said the former England Under-21 international.

“Looking back on it, I don’t think it was a particularly bad season for me. I thought I did well when I had opportunities.

“I got my first goal and first assists, which I can push on from.

“I also learnt a lot more about the game and myself. I’ve just got to keep working hard and taking on knowledge from Rafa.

“He’ll know when I’m ready for him to chuck me in.”

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A personal highlight for Murphy was his first league goal for the club, his strike against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in January.

“That was really good, but it was a shame it was 2-0 (to City) at the time, so I couldn’t really celebrate with the fans, which I would have loved to have done,” said Murphy.

“That was one of the highlights for me.”

Murphy had found form during a run of games midway through the season.

“When I had the run of games around Christmas time, that’s when I really started feeling settled in and stuff like that,” he said.

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“I got into the rhythm of things and got confidence from it.

“Hopefully, I can get another run of games and build from that.”

Murphy, having settled at the club, wants more games, more goals and more assists this coming season, when the team will attempt to better last season’s 10th-placed finish.

“I want more,” said Murphy, whose twin brother Josh has joined Cardiff City from Norwich this summer.

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“I had that year to settle in and find my feet. I feel that I have.

“It’s about kicking on now, improving and getting myself into that starting XI.”

Murphy – who has a minor ankle problem – is unlikely to be involved against St Patricks.

However, the Wembley-born players is in good shape, having worked on his fitness over the summer in readiness for another demanding season.

Asked about pre-season, he said: “It’s been good so far.

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“I’ve got a few sessions under my belt, but I’ve got a bit of a tendon problem. Hopefully, that’s not going on for too long.

“It felt good coming back. I’ve worked hard in the off-season. I’m raring to go.”

Murphy could come up against his sibling in the August 18 meeting between Cardiff and Newcastle at the Cardiff City Stadium.