Highlights
- Oxford United secure long-awaited return to the second tier after 25 years, thanks to play-off victory and Josh Murphy’s heroics.
- Murphy shines, scoring crucial goals in the play-offs, attracting attention from multiple Championship clubs as contract nears end.
- Interest in Murphy likely to spike after play-off final performance, with QPR, West Brom, Southampton, and others vying for his signature.
Oxford United are set to return to English football’s second tier after a 25-year absence.
The U’s enjoyed an impressive campaign in League One, finishing fifth in the table thanks to a final-day victory, which saw them face Peterborough United in the semi-finals.
Des Buckingham took over as manager of his hometown club back in November following the departure of Liam Manning, who joined Bristol City in the Championship. Buckingham has had setbacks but he has done a superb job of getting the club into the second tier.
In the play-off semi-finals, Oxford defeated Peterborough United 2-1 over two legs to set up a monumental final at Wembley Stadium against Bolton Wanderers, who were real contenders for automatic promotion for large parts of the season.
While their play-off success is hugely exciting for Oxford United supporters, it may spell bad news regarding one of their star players who will certainly be attracting a lot of attention following the final at Wembley Stadium.
Josh Murphy’s play-off final heroics
The Yellows’ Josh Murphy had a superb end to the League One season. The first half of the season saw the brother of Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy get very few starts in a play-off chasing Oxford side under Liam Manning. He was often limited to second-half appearances off the bench and missed the month of January through injury.
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Josh Murphy’s League One stats 2023/24, as per Transfermarkt |
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|---|---|
|
Stat |
Number |
|
Apps |
33 |
|
Starts |
18 |
|
Goals |
6 |
|
Assists |
5 |
However, his return from injury in February kick-started a run of appearances in the starting XI and this was when he began to impress under Buckingham. Murphy then earned 15 consecutive League One starts, grabbing an impressive six goals and four assists in this run to help his side reach the play-offs.
The 29-year-old played the full 90 minutes in both semi-final legs before and starting in the final against Bolton Wanderers – stepping up for the U’s to help them secure promotion.
Half an hour had passed when the winger picked up the ball on the left flank and cut onto his favoured right foot. Murphy looked up, took aim, and fired into the far corner of the goal from the edge of the area to send a sea of yellow into pandemonium and give Oxford a surprising lead, though not undeserved.
Murphy decided that one goal was not enough though, as ten minutes later he ran through on goal, rounded the Bolton keeper and placed the ball into the back of the net to double the deficit.
Those goals were enough to clinch Oxford’s long-awaited Championship return but they could well be his final contributions in a yellow shirt.
Interest in Murphy will skyrocket
Inevitably, Murphy will be a topic of conversation for several Championship clubs following his play-off final display. While Oxford are now in the second tier, there may be clubs with bigger ambitions and budgets for next season that look to snatch him off the Yellows.
His contract is set to expire in June and it remains to be seen whether he can be convinced to sign the fresh terms that will inevitably be offered to him, if they haven’t been already.
As reported by The Sun, Murphy is being targeted by as many as six clubs as a clamour for his signature begins. QPR and West Brom are two of the Championship clubs keeping a close eye on him as they look to strengthen ahead of next season.
The R’s had an extremely disappointing campaign but show real signs of promise under Spanish boss Marti Cifuentes, so Murphy could be the perfect addition to their attack as they aim to improve ahead of next season – particularly if they lose Chris Willock.
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As for West Brom, they recently suffered play-off heartbreak in the semi-finals against Southampton, but will look to lick their wounds and return to the promotion battle next season. They could certainly do with adding more goals to their game and a revitalised Murphy could certainly help with that, as shown by his display in the League One play-off final.
QPR and West Brom will face competition for his signature, with Southampton, Sunderland and Hull also keen, as well as MLS outfit, Minnesota United.
Oxford’s promotion to the second tier may increase their hopes of tying Murphy down to a new contract, but bigger clubs in the division could easily tempt him and opt for a move elsewhere.
His performance at Wembley Stadium has certainly turned heads and there will be huge demand for his signature this summer, to the worry of Yellows supporters.