He epitomises the new Newcastle United under Eddie Howe | OneFootball

On Wednesday night, Jacob Murphy smashed in a great goal to get things going at St James’ Park.

A game that could and should in reality have been a landslide result, not just five.

Jacob Murphy has taken a lot of criticism over the years, supposedly not good enough and the right wing slot needing an upgrade, according to many.

In my time following football over the decades, there always seems to be a pile on, on certain players the fans don’t like.

Or is it the herd mentality of the supporters?

Especially the modern day herd mentality of the pile on in the technological age of social media.

When I first went to St James’ Park, the pile on from the supporters in the East Stand Paddock was Alan Gowling. He was the joke figure to all the ancient people around me (they were probably younger then, than I am now).

The next guy I saw get the same level of derision was George “Rambo” Reilly but now I was in the sparsely populated Gallowgate end at the time. Ironic cheers and laughter ringing out when he tried a lay-off that failed.

I could go on and on listing players who have taken the same flak from Newcastle United fans over the years.

However, it was my son who was so down on Jacob Murphy that prompted me to write this. Criticising every touch, every game.

Who would not accept what I said, when I said Murphy is a great player who does unseen work.

Recently, that hard work is not unseen and hopefully Thomas Tuchel spots it.

Jacob Murphy definitely meant that goal against Palace.

He is an articulate young man as his interviews have proved.

Jacob Murphy doesn’t have a Geordie accent but neither do countless lifelong Newcastle United fans of Geordie heritage.