Now, just 15 months on, the club are in the top half of the table and Murphy believes the credit for the transformation should be given to Hodgson.
"The fact is that he's changed the way we play, he's made us more of a footballing team.
"He brought in some of his own personnel and changed a few players which helped because he brought in some really good players.
"Then he did the same this pre-season, making some really astute signings. If you look at our squad - as well as the team - compared to last year, it's a more experienced squad.
"Of course, as time has progressed under Roy, the way he wants us to play - the style, the pattern of play that he wants - has got better because we've worked on it.
"When he first came in, it did take time. But we'd improved by the end of last season and we've continued that, and that's credit to him and his staff, and to the players he's brought in."