Newcastle United

Benitez must unleash Murphy

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Image for Benitez must unleash Murphy

OPINION

Rafa Benitez must play Jacob Murphy against Watford on Saturday at Vicarage Road as the exciting Newcastle United winger would wake up his dormant teammates.

The Magpies have been mentally on the beaches ever since looking like they’ve secured their Premier League status for next season, and it’s simply not good enough.

The likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Ayoze Perez and Paul Dummett all put in unacceptable performances in the Magpies last outing, the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, as clearly they were already focused on their holidays.

If Benitez’s side continue this worrying trend against the Hornets, the Magpies will surely lose to them when they play them on Saturday.

There are only a few options Benitez can take to inject new life into his squad in the games that remain, as if the side aren’t motivated just by playing top-flight football, he’s going to have a tough task getting their heads back in the game.

However what the experienced manager must do in order to drag his players back off the beaches is play Murphy against the Hornets.

The 23-year-old has been sparingly used by Benitez all season, making a total of 22 league appearances, but has shown glimpses of what he can offer.

Murphy arrived at St James’ Park last summer from Norwich City and is no doubt still enthusiastically trying to cement himself as a first-team player before the end of the current campaign.

The winger, who can play on either flank, has bags full of pace and plenty of tricks at his disposal in order to blitz past opposition defenders.

Murphy is the type of player whose performance is inspiring to watch as he plays with such freedom and clearly loves playing football whatever the situation.

Enthusiasm is infectious and if the 23-year-old is unleashed into Benitez’s side for Saturday’s game, his desire to play well, will have a knock-on effect.

This would see the likes of Shelvey and Perez try to match the young winger’s performance, as they will not want to be shown up by johnny-come-lately.

Murphy has played a total 47 minutes across the Magpies’ last three league games and while he hasn’t added to the one goal or one assist he got earlier in the season, it’s not through lack of trying.

Therefore Benitez must call upon the 23-year-old, who has been used sparingly this season, to wake up his sleeping teammates, in order to finish the season strongly.

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