How good was Murphy? Radio commentators said he disappeared in the second half, but this article quotes Opta stats that says otherwise. (Apologies for the bloody awful dots - table wouldn't cut & paste). Judgements, please .... http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015...ackles-in-form-luke-murphys-like-a-new-sign/? 3 chances created, 4 tackles; in-form Luke Murphy's like a new signing The Leeds midfielder may have saved the club a handsome transfer fee. It’s difficult for a club operating under a transfer embargo. Loopholes within that embargo allow the likes ofLeeds United to still make signings, especially on loan (as the captures of Sol Bamba and Granddi Ngoyi prove). But, for a side at the wrong end of theChampionship table, free rein to sign whoever is necessary to turn their campaign around would provide a boost to say the least. Luckily for Leeds, however, and it is very fortunate timing indeed, several performers who previously weren’t delivering have simply looked like new signings. In some cases, it may have been that those squad members weren’t previously given much of a chance. Upon being restored to the first team by Neil Redfearn, Luke Murphy has certainly taken his opportunity for Leeds. It’s seemed like a common theme in recent weeks – praising the 25-year-old. But a look at the Opta stats for his performance against Huddersfield Town shows why. V Huddersfield Chances Created Tackles Won Final-Third Passes Minutes Played Luke Murphy...............3.............................4...........................10........................90 Rodolph Austin...........2.............................0.............................9........................90 Sam Byram..................1.............................2.............................8........................90 Lewis Cook..................1.............................0.............................6........................87 Once again, Murphy was Leeds’ top tackler, also creating more chances than any other Leeds player and completing more final-third passes than any team-mate. It’s not the first time Murphy has topped key statistical areas this month and it won’t be the last this season. When the midfielder first stepped up to the plate a few weeks back, the question was whether he could do it again. Then, it was whether he can consistently produce. Now, Murphy looks like a different player – as though Leeds have signed a new midfielder after all. But they’ve saved a lot of money doing it this way…
I think the transfer embargo could be a blessing in disguise. Nobody is expecting us to make any big money or big name signings and as such a massive heap of pressure and expectation is lifted.
