Murphy: Iron using a risky strategy when renegotiating contracts
SCUNTHORPE United keeper Joe Murphy believes the Iron are employing a risky strategy when renegotiating contracts.
Although preliminary discussions have taken place with regard to extending his own deal, which runs out in the summer, United fans face the same scenario as the previous campaign.
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NOT AGAIN: Iron keeper Joe Murphy is eager to see the club avoid last summer's player exodus.
Then, some of the club's most prominent players left in a close-season exodus, with Paul Hayes, Marcus Williams, Grant McCann and Matt Sparrow all opting to leave for nothing.
There is a similar situation brewing now, with Murphy, Martyn Woolford, Josh Wright, David Mirfin and Jonathan Forte all coming to the end of their current contracts by the end of the campaign.
"You see at different clubs, a lad has one year left, two years left, and he signs another deal," said the Republic of Ireland international.
"It doesn't happen here and that is just the way it is run.
"If a contract runs out, people can start talking to other clubs in January.
"Whether it is the media or the papers, people want to find out things and want to know things.
"It happens at every club and it will happen all the time.
"It is a risky strategy, but it is risky for the players as well.
"If you have got six months on your contract and you get injured, there is no security there.
"It is risky both ways.
"They have done it the same since I have been here so that is fine, there is no argument with that.
"But it just brings a lot of talk with the fans and in the media – are people coming or are people going?
"You don't want to lose your best players.
"If we had the option of keeping those players last year we would have been a stronger squad.
"But it is the way it is dealt with at the club, that's what happens."
But the 29-year-old stopper, who faces a decision on his future over the coming months, has sympathy with the Iron's hierarchy, as the only way to alter the cycle would be for United to become a regular feature in the second tier of English football.
"It is hard for the club," added Murphy.
"We are in the Championship now and people are looking for bigger wages.
"If we can cement ourselves as a Championship club it should be the other way round.
"We should be going to look for the bigger players and they would want to come here."
4 Comments
by Brian, Barton on Humber
Thursday, December 30 2010, 9:15PM
“Mine was deleted instead Mr Doff.
Some people do not like the truth !!!”
by Dan, Scunny
Thursday, December 30 2010, 8:39PM
“The more cynical of us might actually think that Murphy is actually doing this because he wants to get a written contract offer to take to another club and say beat this and I'm yours (poss initial interest from Donny). Nothing more.”
by jimmy krankie, crackerjack
Thursday, December 30 2010, 11:42AM
“Quick grab a screen shot of this before it disappears like 'Alarm Bells' did!! Well done Joe for voicing what many of us have thought about the way the club goes about its business. The hotline from Wharton to the ET's Sports Editor will be ringing shortly and someone who has allowed this piece of proper journalism will be brought to book. Any news on Wooly going to Forest next week?”
by P.Doff, Bobsville
Thursday, December 30 2010, 10:46AM
“Whooooha - don't let Bob see this. Is he away or something? We can't allow any critical comments against the club to get through. Someone ought to pull this before he gets back.
Whilst we are at it can I take this opportunity to ask the reporting team at the ST to approach Steve Wharton on behalf of us the fans and ask him about his recent comments about not wanting to attract more fans.
Could you ask him if he is equally blasé or crass about all things Scunthorpe United and does his jaw dropping attitude spread to his entire ambition about the club and it's future.
Could you also ask him to consider stepping aside and letting someone take the reigns who does have ambition and passion for the club.
Can you also ask him to stop the players, manager and him paying lip service about plans, capability and visions for the future when it is quite evident from one single comment that what he says should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Please also bear in mind that he will blame the fans for any demise, he will blame the fans for staying away and he will blame the fans for staying away for not spending any correct level on monies to keep us in the NPC.”