All well and good Alf but then you're overlooking that "supposedly respected" sources were saying that Cooper wasn't that happy with either the amount or quality of the initial signings for the PL and then subsequently Murphy wanted Cooper sacked for it.Like I said, it wasn't perfect.
But he did make key signings at key times for relatively minimal investment. Davies + Surridge + Cook is the best Jan transfer window we've ever had IMO, and for me our best recruitment in years was overseen by Murphy.
I mean, sources such as the Athletic credit Murphy/George Syrianos with Awoiniyi, who we then both sacked, and DT also stated Matildas bought Lingard to the club.
How much stock you place in these sources is down to personal choice, and fair enough if you don't share the view which I do that they're getting far more right than wrong these days. But to suggest "no idea" is simply ignorant of these sources. My views and others who share them are basing them on what is reported and what we hear.
I'm not prepared to tie myself in knots caring about it to be honest, because I'm not informed enough, no more than i was caring who told Cloughie to sign Lee Smelt, Ray McKinnon and David Campbell.
The signings made whilst Murphy was here in the Championship were excellent on the whole, although you mentioned Cook who he apparently didn't want here
Nowhere near as good once we got promoted though, although I've no idea who he really wanted and who he didn't. 21 signings in that first window after promotion (and that many were needed). He must have agreed to most of them. There's only 4 or 5 anywhere near our first team though.