Thus, whilst Derby County’s staff clearly rate Murray, the rest of the world obviously prefers to focus on the raw talent of Zaha and Bolasie, amidst much paper talk that the former is on his way to Manchester United for a fee between £10-20 million. Although Murray has reportedly caught the eye of some Premier League clubs, namely Norwich City, a potential fee of £3million hardly compares to that of Zaha.
Of course, no club is going to pay £20million for a 29 year-old centre forward, however, so many managers often wish they had a twenty goal a season striker leading their line. Thankfully for Palace fans, Murray is unlikely to be going anywhere.
Ian Holloway has been full of praise for his No.17, who scored two hat-tricks in 2012 against league leaders Cardiff City and strugglers Ipswich Town, as well as six doubles.
“Glenn is a fantastic footballer, said Holloway, after Palace’s victory against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, “His football brain is as good as anybody I have worked with. He knows the timing of how to do that run down the middle and his eye for getting on the end of a cross is completely awesome.”
“I have had some great players in my time and to be honest Glenn is right up there with all of them. That’s nine goals in six games he has scored for me and that’s quite awesome. He is very clever.”
Whilst Murray has always possessed these instinctive qualities, it is only this season that his ability has shone through at Selhurst Park. Having signed from Brighton on a free transfer in May 2011 afters scoring 22 goals in League One the previous season, Murray failed to reach the same lofty heights in the Championship, scoring just six goals. Although he did grab a memorable winner at Old Trafford, as Palace beat United in their league cup quarter-final clash, many in SE25 were unsatisfied by their new centre-forward.
Those doubters have now undoubtedly been silenced. For it has not just been Glenn Murray’s goal tally that has made serious advancements. He is clearly a much fitter player this season, and has subsequently been virtually ever present in the Palace side. His work rate, as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, has also been significantly greater and Murray is reaping the rewards as a result. Although he isn’t the man to crash goals in from 35 yards, Murray frequently gets on the end of deliveries to apply the finishing touch from inside 6 yards, and in addition, he is a regular scorer from the penalty spot.
So yes, some credit must be given to Messrs. Zaha and Bolasie for Murray’s upturn in fortunes, for it has been their openings which have created his goals this term. Nevertheless, Murray’s hard work on the training ground has given him the confidence to perform out on the pitch and his transformation this season is surely the main reason that Palace are looking to 2013 with their eyes set firmly on promotion to the Premier League. And if Glenn Murray keeps scoring the goals, then perhaps this could prove to be the crucial factor come May.
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