‘Expected him to be a dud’ - in-form Portsmouth favourite forces respected podcaster into drastic U-turn
Josh Murphy has taken the Championship by storm in his maiden campaign at Fratton Park.
And the winger’s impressive form in front of goal has forced one EFL podcaster into making a drastic U-turn as the 30-year-old’s season continues to soar.
There was plenty of pressure on the shoulders of the ex-Oxford United man when John Mousinho made his former Kassam Stadium team-mate a priority signing last summer.
But after a slow start under that weight of expectation, the free transfer arrival has proven to be a nightmare for Championship full-backs, with his eye-catching displays down the left flank earning plenty of praise.
During a fabulous season in front of goal so far, the Blues favourite has taken it upon himself to be Pompey’s main attacking threat, with his six goals and 10 assists helping Mousinho’s men continue their fight for Championship survival.
Murphy’s Blues importance was something that Second Tier Podcast co-host Justin Peach didn’t see coming at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign. And as we approach the final run-in, with Pompey having just eight more games to retain their Championship status, he’s been forced to backtrack on his original verdict on the 30-year-old.
Indeed, the popular podcaster has now admitted his admiration for the ‘tremendous’ former £11m winger, who is currently revelling on the south coast and is a serious contender for Pompey’s much-coveted player-of-the-season prize.
Josh Murphy revelling at Pompey after Oxford United switch
Speaking on the latest episode, Peach said: ‘I did not expect Josh Murphy to have the season that he’s having. I expected him to be a dud. And to be fair, after the first few games, it looked like that might’ve been the case - but my goodness has he been tremendous.
‘He really, really has been fantastic this season. I’ll happily take the L on him because he’s proved me wrong and what a season for both Murphy twins Josh and Jacob having success. Josh Murphy has been brilliant.
‘At times he’s had to carry the attack because Colby Bishop being out, same with Callum Lang. In terms of ingenuity, it’s only been Murphy at times and then it’s only been (Callum) Lang at times. But with him, he’s got six goals for the season and 10 assists.
‘His ability to grab games by the scruff of its neck is a really positive thing. He’s performed way beyond my expectations because I expected him to not do anything at all.’
Your next Pompey read: 'I played some of my best football at Portsmouth - thanks to those amazing supporters'