Jacob Murphy has admitted to NUFC TV that he is ‘sick of’ hitting the post, after the winger hit the woodwork multiple times over Newcastle United’s recent Premier League matches.
Eddie Howe has afforded Murphy a consistent run in the Magpies’ attack of late with Allan Saint-Maximin struggling for fitness. The Frenchman has featured for just 47 minutes over the Toon’s last five games, having missed two through injury and one after feeling unwell.
Saint-Maximin’s issues have been to Murphy’s benefit, with the 27-year-old starting each of Newcastle’s last five top-flight fixtures. He had only opened seven of their previous 23, including six at right-back. With 11 of his now total 23 appearances coming as a substitute.
Yet despite enjoying a significant upturn in minutes and appearances in his favoured area, Murphy has still only scored once and assisted one goal across Newcastle’s league games.
Additionally, Murphy fired home his sole strike so far on the opening day in a 4-2 defeat to West Ham. He then followed it by assisting Callum Wilson in a 2-2 draw with Southampton in week three of the season. But it has not been through a lack of trying in recent weeks.
Jacob Murphy admits he’s ‘sick of’ close-calls over recent Newcastle games
For the first time since the opening day last August, Murphy attempted three shots on goal as Newcastle drew with West Ham on February 19. He then recorded at least one effort in each of United’s following four games, per WhoScored. But he is yet to break the goal line.
Hitting the post against Brighton on March 5 after Chris Wood put Murphy through on goal remains the closest the winger has come to scoring just his second goal of the term. Much to the £12m man’s frustration ahead of Newcastle travelling to Everton on Thursday night.
“I don’t even want to talk about it because I’m sick of it!” Murphy said. “Fourth time lucky I suppose. Hopefully, the next one hits the post and goes in.
“It’s annoying, but the only thing I’ll say is at least I’m getting in the positions, getting the shots off. Yeah, I’ll get the rub of the green, hopefully, one game soon.”
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