Skipper Luke Chambers has revealed that he’s been in Daryl Murphy’s ear throughout the summer trying to persuade last season’s 27-goal Championship top scorer to remain at Portman Road. The 32-year-old put an end to the speculation regarding his future last week by signing a new contract until the summer of 2017 with the club having an option for a further season.

“Hallelujah!” exclaimed Chambers, speaking after Friday's 4-3 friendly defeat at Fortuna Düsseldorf.

“I’m good friends with Murph and I’ve been on his case all summer: ‘You don’t want to leave, you don’t want to leave, you don’t want to leave!’.

“He never wanted to leave and hopefully that’s tied him down for the next couple of years and he can have a better season next year.

“Everyone’s delighted, everyone in the squad loves him to pieces and I think the feeling is mutual.

“Teams expressing an interest in him was always going to happen because there’s no one else in the league that’s like him.

“I don’t think anyone and us as a team would ever forgive the club if they’d have sold him and he’d gone and scored 27 goals somewhere else.

“We’re delighted. You look at the strike force we’ve got now, you saw the goal Brett Pitman scored tonight. He’s settled in very, very well.

“That was one of the best goals I’ve seen live, I’ve said that to some of the lads. I think Skusey, a big mate of his, missed it.

“You look at our strike force you’ve got Pits, you’ve got Murph, you’ve got Didz, you’ve got Freddie, you’ve got Varns to come back.

“That’s a strike force that can get 60 goals easily if they’re on their game, which they’re going to have to be to play in the team, that will bode well for the future.”

He added: “No disrespect to the lads who have left and the lads who were here before, we’ve had a fantastic couple of seasons together, but I think the gaffer has slowly improved the squad every year and hopefully this season will be the season for us.

“We look like we’ve got a bit more pace in the team, we’ve got some young players who are trying to stamp their mark on it.

“We’ve still got three of the best players in the league to come back into the squad and that will be a joy on Monday when they come in and join in in [full] training.

“We’re looking forward to it and we’re still actively looking for a couple more players. Exciting times and we want to get of the ground and up and running.

“I think you’ve got to look at the additions of Brett Pitman, Ryan Fraser and even Ainsley Maitland-Niles, he’s made a tremendous impact.

“I gave him a little bit of stick for being a bit of a slow starter, he was feeling his way into training, he had a bit of a swagger about him, but he’s got to know our way of working pretty quickly!

“To be fair to him, in training and in games he’s looked the part and he took his goal very, very well tonight.”

In addition to the 17-year-old Arsenal loanee a number of Town’s own academy products have made an impact during the first two pre-season matches.

“You’ve only got to look at Teddy Bishop as an example,” Chambers continued. “If you’re good enough at this football club with this manager, you’ll get your opportunity. He likes to keep a tight squad.

“I think young Josh Emmanuel at right-back has come in and done very, very well in training and in the games.

“Josh Yorwerth we got from Cardiff and he’s looked very, very strong. I think the gaffer’s definitely building something and there are opportunities for young players to come in and impress and once you’ve done it three, four, five, six times in front of the gaffer, you know you’ve got his trust.”

Chambers says everyone has long drawn a line under last season’s play-off disappointment: “You have to, as horrible as it was. I couldn’t bring myself to watch the games. Fair play to them, they got promoted, they were the best team. That’s the way it goes.

“But it showed tonight how much the fans are behind us making the effort to bring themselves all the way out here, funding their trips out of their own pockets. I think they’re as ready to go again as we are.”

Town are next in action at Cambridge United on Tuesday evening when Christophe Berra and David McGoldrick are expected to be in the squad (KO 7.45pm).

The Blues’ U18s lost 5-4 to Cambridge in a substitution-filled friendly at Playford Road on Saturday morning, while the sides’ U16s drew 1-1.

Photo: Action Images

MacMan added 06:28 - Jul 20 ...And that, in my opinion, is why Chambers is a great skipper. I wouldn't want to be seen slacking in front of him if I was a young player, and he epitomises the excellent attitude in the squad now that the likes of messrs Chopra and Taylor have gone. Let's be realistic, we don't expect our players, in the Championship, to be world beaters, but we as fans do expect them to try their hardest each time they play. Under Mick M that's what we get, and it looks like the current squad is stronger than last season so it is all looking very promising. If we finish one place higher each season I would be happy, but this year I truly think the extra pace gives the team more options and we can shoot for the top. Exciting times ahead, and I love that team!

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:05 - Jul 20 "We're still actively looking for a couple of players." Not sure Chambers realised the significance when he let slip this comment, but it convinces me that MM really does know where we need strengthening. Finding the right players is probably proving difficult and there's no point in getting in the wrong ones. I'm optimistic we will have a pretty complete squad to start the season.

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hoppy added 07:07 - Jul 20 “We're looking forward to it and we're still actively looking for a couple more players. Exciting times and we want to get of the ground and up and running." I wonder which positions they are in? As said above, good to hear a good positive rally call ahead of the season from the captain... Let's hope there'll be plenty of fist pumps to go with it throughout!
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ArnieM added 07:26 - Jul 20 I'm a tad concerned that Chambers had to work on Murphy to push add him to stay. That to me, says he was seriously Considering leaving . But chambering is right we are bloody awesome up front. Defence and midfield still not quite there imo. In Mick we trust!
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Roola added 07:33 - Jul 20 Arnie I think his comments about Murphy were a bit tongue in cheek. Murphy has consistently reiterated that he wasn't going anywhere, it wad all paper talk and rumours. Also want to agree with above comments. Chambers is an excellent captain. He talks well, no flannel. He is also inspiring to the squad, especially the younger players. I agree re his comments on our strike force... We just need that last little bit of flair in midfield and another defender.

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Bluebell added 07:45 - Jul 20 Am I missing something? "Town are next in action at Cambridge United on Tuesday evening when Christophe Berra and David McGoldrick are expected to be in the squad ". What about Murph?
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Karlosfandangal added 07:46 - Jul 20 Middlesbrough and Derby are buying some good players and look strong plus the 3 coming down so again a tough season. I think town will slip under the radar again as no big signing so far. The players we have brought in look very good signings and with Bru and Bishop having a season under their belts can only get better this season. Town will surprise a lot of people again this season and it's looking good for the future as town have some young players in the squad. I can see town really pushing to win it this season can see us doing a Bourmouth. Can't wait.

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Currie10 added 07:52 - Jul 20 " We just need that last little bit of flair in midfield and another defender. " We have the two Irish lads, Niles, and the Bournemouth loanee. Not sure quite as to how much more flair we need!
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Sospiri added 07:53 - Jul 20 Nice to see Chambers recommending Josh Emanuel to replace him at right back!
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bohslegend added 08:04 - Jul 20 I agree completely with the comments about Chambo being an excellent skipper. Everything we hear about him spells guts, determination and loyalty to the club and the manager. I think kids like ANM will benefit from having him there to push them on. Re the Cambridge game, I think MM is showing his experience here.. He's said before that Murph gets niggles in pre season and he has to be careful with him. I would assume that that's the case here. Bring him back to action slow and steady.

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bohslegend added 08:06 - Jul 20 + AMN if you're going to abbreviate you must get it right
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Sparky85 added 08:57 - Jul 20 Great words skip! I dont think you could find anyone that doesn't love Chambo as captain. 'He swears when he wants!' Do we know when the squad numbers are coming out? May give some insight into what we are looking for. i.e. does Parr go to 3 and who takes 2 I think it is obvious that Chambo will be played centrally this year, so I am definately expecting a right back to come in, or a left back with Parr at RB, but I would prefer the former. In all friendlies, from what I have read, he has played centrally. This wouldn't make sense if MM was still going to play him at RB.

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battyblue added 09:05 - Jul 20 I am in total agreement with part of the posts but not all i definitely would not be happy with improving one position each season for starters i am looking and hoping for automatic promotion this year although this may be beyond us at the moment with present squad,if its the playoffs again we need to win them or its a big failure in my eyes on MM part . Some of you on here are happy with win loose or draw i am not you have to aim for the top to achieve and i am sure Cambo is of that mindset.

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PhilTWTD added 09:19 - Jul 20 Bluebell Meant to add a link to Mick's comments on Saturday regarding Murphy, McGoldrick and Berra, which I've now put in. He said they're taking things more slowly with him as he's had injuries in pre-season previously.
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Vizslaraner added 11:46 - Jul 20 Who wouldn't want Chambo in their team! For me he's up there with Mick Mills and Matt Holland. Love the guy and his enthusiasm is infectious. He's played at right back with no moans or groans and still pushes everyone around him on despite having to cope with red hot pace of wingers! He just does the job and gives everything for the team as do some of the others inc Murph. MM is building this club back up and we have the nucleus of a very good side which will get promoted. Even if its not this year it will be the one after as strength in depth is coming gradually with better players. Small steps were required after the Dark Lord had finished wrecking it. Play Chambo Centre Half and it will strengthen us considerably. The balance will be better and the spine of the team will b as good as anything in the league. On top of that there is no other team with better team spirit. COYB

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topguy added 13:12 - Jul 20 Im not sure about us needing anyone but I can maybe see the 7 figure signing as a marquee signing, mainly after seeing us on Friday and seeing the played out from the back, instead of the keeper always hoofing it forward they all looked confident playing it out. And I can see Emmanual playing RB for some of the season and Chambers playing some at RB and some in the Centre prob mainly as Berra will be suspended for he start of the campaign, Bit in midfield people say we have no ball playing midfieler, there are Bru and Bishop, and also if needed more attacking people as some has said didsy could drop a bit deeper and also AMN can also play as an Att CM. and hyam and skuse as DM, so the arnt a lot of holes to fill so why spend money on players who might not play I think lets see what happen with what we have and not stifle the youngsters coming through like benyu when he came on in the second half was lively, and we have the bodies to play and the more games the youngsters get the more players like bishop we will have and that's only good for us.

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TimmyH added 16:11 - Jul 20 Chambers at right back is one position for starters that could be strengthened...GK and possible attacking midfielder are another two.
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alpblue added 17:08 - Jul 20 Liking the comment that we are still looking for players, Adam Le Fondre leaving cardiff maybe worth a short term deal always thought of him as fox in the box player.
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jas0999 added 17:15 - Jul 20 Very impressive comments from Chambers and ultimately agree with most. I'm particularly buoyed by comments of actively seeking a couple more players. Hopefully permanent signings and hopefully defenders. Would love a keeper, but know I'll be disappointed. Strike force is exceptional.
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Warkys_Tash added 22:37 - Jul 20 Well done Chambo, now get in Didz ear..
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