Leeds United midfielder Luke Murphy returned to Burton Albion on loan this summer but looks set to be embroiled in another relegation battle.
Leeds United may be feeling a little down in the dumps that the moment following a run of three defeats in four games that has undermined the season’s early optimism.
This is nothing compared to the horror run loanee Luke Murphy is enduring at Burton Albion, however.
The Brewers pulled off a remarkable achievement last season by surviving the drop in their first ever Championship season despite the rather substantial disadvantage of having by far the smallest budget in the division.
And it looks like manager Nigel Clough will need to rely on similar miracles this time around with Burton sitting 21st, just one point above the drop zone. And their early relegation fears have not been helped by two defeats in the space of a week with an aggregate scoreline of 8-0.
Burton welcomed Aston Villa to Pittodrie last Tuesday and were helpless as Steve Bruce’s side rattled in four without reply. Fellow Midlanders Wolves rocked up five days later and did exactly the same. Murphy also suffered a 4-1 chastening away to Manchester United in the EFL Cup but that is rather more forgiveable.
Though the 27-year-old, who re-joined Burton on loan from Leeds this summer after aiding their survival push last season, played 90 minutes in all three defeats.
Leeds may have lost their last two league fixtures but at least Thomas Christiansen’s side can fall back on the fact that they are still fifth in the table, just four points adrift of league leaders Cardiff City.
Murphy, who became the club’s first £1 million signing in eight years when joining from Crewe in 2013 (BBC), probably doesn’t have much sympathy for his parent club’s ‘plight’ with Burton dropping down the standings.
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