Luke Murphy has assured himself a place in a Leeds United folklore by agreeing a new four-year deal which involves taking a pay-cut.

The 25-year-old Crewe midfielder has agreed a deal which will take him to almost his 30th birthday but the most significant aspect is the rarity of a pay-cut, a refreshing change from the usual contract-negotiations we see this time of year when the likes of Ross McCormack would troop in and demand a pay hike.

Murphy said: “I found out about it about a week ago. I sat down and spoke and there wasn’t really much to think about.

“I’m happy here. I’ve had ups and downs but I really started to feel at home towards the end of last season and started to feel as though I was playing my best football that I’ve played here. Hopefully that can continue.

“I can see the ambition that the club has got.

“The club belongs in the Premier League, everybody knows that. Hopefully we can get there in the near future.

“I’ve obviously had ups and downs but towards the end of last season I really started to feel at home.

“I want to repay the faith shown in me by performing on the pitch."

Murphy has endured a roller-coaster ride since joining for £1m from Crewe two summers ago. Although he scored on his debut against Brighton, his first season was one of unfulfilled potential and his second term couldn't really have got off to a worse start.

He was red-carded in United's shock League Cup exit at Bradford and many fans, myself included wouldn't have been sorry if we'd never seen him again. However largely under the guidance of then Assistant-Manager Steve Thompson Murphy broke back into the starting 11 in the New Year and turned in some mature and composed performances in our mini-revival of sorts to banish fears of relegation.

Whilst he's yet to prove his overall consistency I think that Murphy's gesture will be warmly received by the fans, it reminds me of Neil Aspin when in 1987 he re-arranged his Wedding Day so he could play in the FA Cup Semi-Final versus Coventry City. Whilst Aspin was never the greatest defender to pull on the white-shirt, he gave 100% every time and hopefully Murphy will be able to do the same again when he recovers from his knee-injury.

Meanwhile Uwe Rosler has told Radio Yorkshire he intends to sit down and discuss "off field behaviour" with his players. Although he didn't mention names it comes as Giuseppe Bellusci has become embroiled in yet another showdown on Twitter with supporters.

It's not the first time "the Warrior" has become involved in a public social media spat. The latest one was in response to fans who booed him in last Friday nights 1-1 draw at Harrogate Town. On this occasion Bellusci appeared to urge fans to back the team rather than get on his back. His popularity sank when he was part of the so-called "Charlton Six" who withdrew from the trip to the Valley injured. Other players including Marco Silvestri and Mirco Antenucci have also clashed with fans on Twitter and Billy Sharp got into hot-water by favouriting tweets calling for him to be in the starting 11.

In recent times it appears that the management stance on social media has softened; Simon Grayson banned twitter and Neil Warnock was no big fan of it. It will be interesting to see what approach Rosler takes.

Photo: Action Images

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