‘I didn’t rate the signing’: How Portsmouth favourite is still proving EFL pundits wrong
Josh Murphy has registered 22 goal contributions in 46 appearances during his time at Pompey.
Committing Josh Murphy to a new long-term deal at Fratton Park is huge for Pompey’s Championship future.
That’s the verdict of Second Tier Podcast co-host Justin Peach, who has made it clear the 30-year-old is still proving him wrong after initially writing off his move to the south coast.
After an outstanding maiden campaign, which saw Murphy register 21 goal contributions, there was late transfer window interest in the start forward from Leicester City during the summer.
However, the former Norwich City man remained put at Fratton Park and last week committed his long-term future to the Blues.
Peach, who initially wrote off his move to PO4 from Oxford United in 2024, has since admitted he got it wrong and is a firm believer that his new deal is huge for Pompey going forward.
Josh Murphy still proving people wrong
Speaking on the latest episode of the Second Tier Podcast, he said: ‘It’s really big news. To think that I didn’t rate the signing 12 months ago and he proved me wrong last season but also he’s also got a new bumper contract for himself.
‘It’s a reward for a player who has really flourished for the club he signed for last season. Could Leicester City really have afforded him? That’s an interesting question.
‘What Portsmouth are doing now, though, is protecting their future. Josh Murphy is settled and that’s a good thing because when he gets settled he can thrive.’
Despite penning fresh terms, Murphy continues to be absent for Mousinho’s men having missed the previous four league games with an ankle issue.
Indeed, the winger was absent for Saturday’s impressive 1-0 win over promotion-hopefuls Middlesbrough, who went into the game top of the Championship.
Despite playing without the star forward and a number of other key figures, Pompey were able to claim their first victory in five games and steady the ship going into the international break.
Huge Pompey praise after toppling Middlesbrough
And Peach believes the Blues’ triumph over the high-flying Boro will be a huge confidence boost, which could see them progress up the table.
‘It was important. It probably told you a little bit (that Pompey had failed to win their previous four), I wouldn't have said they were lacking confidence but they really needed to be defensively strong and I thought they were for large parts.
‘Obviously, when you’ve got players coming in like Minhyeok Yang, he’s getting on the scoresheet with two in four games since he joined.
‘It’s really important that these players step up and really hurt the opposition, which they are doing.
‘They were resolute, they defended really well and I don’t think Boro really carved them open - not as much as they needed to to get anything from the game.
‘It was a really good performance building on solid foundations for John Mousinho.’