OPINION
In a squad that is as paper thin as Newcastle United’s you would think there was no way anyone could be forgotten about – but that certainly does not seem the case.
The turgid FA Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers – which ended 1-1 thanks to a late, and perhaps undeserved, Matt Ritchie penalty – gave a number of fringe figures the chance to show what they have to offer the first team.
Judging by their performance, that equates to not a lot.
The likes of Sean Longstaff and Freddie Woodman were able to get some senior game time under their belt but fringe men such as Joselu and Jacob Murphy were well off what was expected, the latter suffering a real shocker at St James’ Park.
It is now quite clear why he has only managed 10 appearances this season and be it confidence or another factor, he is not good enough for the Magpies right now.
One man who was quite notably not among the squad against the Championship side was Rolando Aarons, who will have been forgotten somewhat by the Toon Army after being shipped out to Slovan Liberec on loan for the first half of the season.
Back on Tyneside after the expiration of his temporary deal, the 23-year-old will have been wondering what Murphy, who is the same age, had done to earn his spot – and should be looking at taking it away from him after such a disastrous display.
Aarons has proven to be an electric talent at times during his Newcastle career and with Murphy lacking any sort of redeeming features right now, is more than deserving of a chance – even if it means giving up a loan deal for the second half of the season.
After Saturday’s display, there is only one winger who should be departing and that is Murphy.