Portsmouth ace Josh Murphy shares career ‘stigma’ – ‘Absolutely shocking’
Portsmouth eventually adapted well to Championship football on their return to the division this season.
Pompey had been consigned to the bottom two tiers of the EFL since their relegation from the Championship in the 2011/12 season, however, they showed hugely promising signs following their promotion in 2023/24.
John Mousinho’s side picked up regular victories in the second half of the season, and a five-game unbeaten run to close out the campaign ultimately saw Portsmouth secure their safety with two games to spare.
The South Coast outfit will be looking to push on towards a mid-table finish next year, as they look to alleviate any concerns of a potential drop back into League One.
Josh Murphy has played with increased confidence
Josh Murphy was central to Pompey’s success this season.
The former Norwich and Cardiff City winger notched 21 goal contributions in the league – the highest single-season tally of his career so far.
He starred in Oxford United’s victory in the League One play-off final last year and has taken his game to another level at Fratton Park this time around.
The 30-year-old believes that the lack of fear that he is now playing with has been crucial to help him find a consistency in his game that hasn’t always been there throughout his career.
“I believe I have shown I can put everything together consistently over a whole season,” Murphy said, while speaking to The News (3 June).
“Consistency has always been a stigma around my career – what Josh Murphy are you going to get? Are you going to get the one that is good or the one that is absolutely shocking? So it’s nice to get the consistency.
“I think the reason is not trying as hard. When you are desperate to impress, desperate to keep your shirt, you probably put a bit more pressure on yourself than what’s needed, then you start snatching at things.
“I can get stopped 10 times, and all I need is that one moment. Once I know that, it doesn’t matter how many mistakes you’re going to make, you can be the difference. Just stay in the game, and your chance will come to get the goal or assist.”
Portsmouth has been the perfect move for Murphy
His move to Portsmouth has seemingly helped to further unlock Murphy, who struggled at times in the early stages of his career.
Cardiff parted with £11million to sign him from Norwich back in 2018, but the winger struggled to adapt to the level of the Premier League. He was much improved with the Bluebirds back in the Championship the following campaign, but that was his last season of real promise prior to his Oxford stint.
Murphy notched 10 goals and five assists for the U’s, including a decisive double in their play-off final victory over Bolton Wanderers. That brace sent the club to the Championship for the first time in 25 years, but it proved to be his last act in their colours.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 42 | 7 | 14 |
Ever since his move to Portsmouth last summer, Murphy hasn’t looked back.
He quickly established himself as the key man for Mousinho’s side, and provided them with countless big moments across the season which ultimately helped them to stay in the division.
Evidently a fairly late bloomer, Murphy will be central to Pompey’s plans once again next season, and they will be hoping that he still has many years ahead of him at Fratton Park.