Norwich City

Young winger delighted with recent first-team involvement

JOSH Murphy is looking to replicate his goalscoring form with the Under-21s for the Canaries’ first-team – and in turn help the Club to maintain its Premier League status.

The Academy graduate scored the winning goal for the Development Squad against Wolves on Tuesday night, just days after coming on as a substitute for Neil Adams’ senior side against Liverpool at Carrow Road.

Murphy also featured in Adams’ first game in charge against Fulham at Craven Cottage, and is hoping for more chances to impress between now and the end of the campaign.

“I’ve been happy with my involvement recently. I’ve been with Neil ever since I was an under-11, so he knows exactly what I’m about and I know what he’s about,” he told canaries.co.uk.

“Hopefully I can now kick on and get in the first-team, and if I’m called upon I can try and get a goal like I did against Wolves.

“It’s in our own hands. We’re capable – we’re good enough, we shouldn’t be where we are but through circumstances that’s where we are. We’ve got three big games, but there’s no reason why we can’t pick up points. I’m confident, and so are all the lads and staff.”

The 18-year-old says he’s enjoying life under the familiar gaze of former Under-18s coach Adams – but laughs that it took him a bit of time to get used to the change.

“It’s weird because I’m used to calling him ‘Neil’, but I’ve been in training and I know that I’ve got to call him ‘gaffer’ now!” he said.

“He’s now the manager so I respect that. I’m delighted that he’s there, and the way he’s making us play football and the way he’s handling the lads at the moment is excellent.

“People saw how well we played against Liverpool. We were unlucky not to get a result there and against Fulham too.”

Murphy was speaking after playing a major part in the Development Squad’s achievement of securing a top-half finish in the Barclays Under-21s Premier League.

“It means we get to play the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea in the league next season. It’s massive for the boys, because it’s all about development and it will enable us to push on.

“We’re delighted to finish in the top half, and one of the aims now is for everyone to kick on. From there, people might get their chance in the first-team.”