Town boss Mick McCarthy wished striker Daryl Murphy all the best at Newcastle United after confirming that the Blues had accepted an offer from the Magpies for the Irish international striker. We understand the fee to be £3 million with no add-ons.

“He’s gone to Newcastle,” McCarthy confirmed, who revealed the final decisions regarding the striker’s exit were taken this morning with the 33-year-old pencilled in to start today’s 1-0 victory against Preston.

“He’s told me he wants to go, he’s put a transfer request in and it’s always my view that you’re either inside the tent peeing out or outside the tent peeing in.

“He has to leave, so we’ve got other players and we’ll get other players in. It’s a great move for him, I think.

“Good luck to him, he’s been terrific for me but I think it’s one of those deals which can’t really be stopped. Good luck to him.

“It’s good business for the club, bearing in mind the performances, the goals we’ve had out of him. It is and we’ll reinvest that.”

McCarthy dismissed suggestions he was disappointed that Murphy requested the move: “Not really, no. It kind of makes it easier for me. If it’s me that’s stopping him and I stop a 33-year-old going to play for Newcastle who arguably are going to be top of the league, I think he’d resent that for the rest of my life.

“And if I was him I’d do the same. So I have a very pragmatic view on that. I’d prefer to let him go, he’s asked for a move, go and do well for them and I hope he does and continues to do well for Ireland and we’ll reinvest.

“And by the way get somebody else because I seem to remember when I came here there was a bit of apathy towards him. When I re-signed him I can’t remember everybody dancing up and down the streets with their knickers in the air.

“So I put my arm round him, I signed him at Sunderland, TC got to work with him and I think he’s improved unbelievably and he’s a real force to be reckoned with now.

“We’ll do it again, so let’s see if we can find somebody else and do it again with a younger version. Good luck to Murph.”

McCarthy says he has targets in mind and that the wheels are in motion regarding the signing of a replacement before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Wednesday with the club constantly looking at contingencies for potential departures.

“There’s always discussions between Marcus and I about who we would like to sign,” he added.

He says he has given Blues owner Evans a list of his pre-deadline targets: “Email’s a wonderful thing. I’m not a Luddite.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy said claims that Crystal Palace wideman Sullay Kaikai was at Portman Road were news to him: “If he’s here at the game he must enjoy watching us because that’s the first I’ve heard.”

Photo: TWTD

Brownie added 20:10 - Aug 27 good old canary yellow sorry penguin blue; the most predictable chirping bird ever..
-1

Pip50 added 20:25 - Aug 27 Don't blame Murph working under a Champions league winning manager more ££ and back up North presumably where he prefers to be. Our track record in reinvesting transfer kitty is pants though. Looking forward to being wow'd not holding my breath.
1

gosblue added 21:01 - Aug 27 Rodrigo - Freddie Sears: Young hungry striker from lower leagues. Penguin - we are trying to play better football. BTW - we've just gone above Norwich. 👍
0

JimmyP45 added 21:12 - Aug 27 Newcastle have Perez, Gayle, Gouffran, Mitrovic, Rivière and Armstrong. Is striker they position they really need to strengthen? Oh well, all the best Daryl. Just draw a blank if you play against us.
0

gippeswyk added 21:30 - Aug 27 Murph has been brilliant for us. I was a big critic in the past. He was as inept as connor salmon, couldnt win a header and a donkey first touch. But MM and TC transformed him. He was always a real grafter and has been enjoying his best football in his 30s. I had the pleasure to chat to him at Ipswich Station after his prolific season which ended with play off defeat, and he was a really likeable and down to earth chap. He was gutted we didnt beat Norwich despite him scoring more goals than anyone that season. 3m for the club, if ME will re-invest it, is great business for a striker who may only have this season left in his legs at Championship level, although I'd have him back if Newcastle get promoted and let him go. In the meantime we're going to have to pass the ball more, although I have to say Pitman did a great job today and won most headers. He is a very capable replacement for Murph.

2

miltonsnephew added 23:21 - Aug 27 Think we'll go in again for Clayton Donaldson again now?! That or Victor Anichebe. Would rather us go in for Jonathan Walters out of these 3.
0

ITFC_Lincoln added 08:55 - Aug 28 Get out there and buy Clayton Donaldson if we've got the money.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls