Town loan star Daryl Murphy has cited Middlesbrough’s FA Cup extra-time replay defeat by in-form Sunderland as a measure of the task facing him and his team-mates at Portman Road today.
Boro may not have won a league game since Boxing Day but the way they pushed Martin O’Neill’s men all the way over two pulsating games certainly impressed Murphy, a former Black Cat himself.
Murphy, 28, said: "I watched Wednesday’s game at the Riverside on the box and it was clear to see that Boro, even without a few players through injury, are still a quality side.
"They were well worth their draw at the Stadium of Light and then they pushed Sunderland right to the wire the other night. It was a tremendous display considering they had to put out a weakened team.
"They have not been winning league games but they are still sitting sixth in the table, which is great credit to them, and they are in there fighting for promotion.”
On a personal note, Murphy is enjoying his role on the left of midfield more with every game that passes and added: "I’m getting a lot more comfortable there and being part of a settled side has definitely helped because all the players get used to each other.
"I don’t mind the defensive part of the game. If I have to help out the left-back, that’s fine. It’s about doing it for the team. Every player likes to get forward, get crosses in and score goals, but there’s what I call the horrible stuff to be done as well.” Murphy was delighted to end a ten-game drought and net his second goal of the season in the recent 5-1 home hammering of Championship leaders West Ham. He said: "It was a great game to score in and with my goal being our second of the night I felt it was really important. It was vital that we added more goals after we opened the scoring and not allow West Ham to get back into it.” Photos: Action ImagesWhat to read next:
Town have appointed former Manchester United, Tottenham and Hannover 96 scout Peter Braund as their head of European scouting.
Town face a midweek trip to Southampton after the Saints progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by winning 1-0 away at Fulham in round five this afternoon.
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Academy youngsters Abube Onuchukwu, Afi Adebayo and Archie Brown have made moves out on loan.
Leif Davis believes Town have shown significant growth in character since the early stages of the Championship season.
Town’s U18s beat Leicester City 3-1 on Saturday afternoon despite losing keeper Josh Bentley to injury in the first half and missing a late penalty.
Highlights of Town’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Portman Road.
Town defender Leif Davis says the Blues should have done enough to claim all three points in spite of late refereeing controversy during the 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Portman Road.
Leicester City manager Gary Rowett felt referee John Busby may have been influenced by earlier penalty claims when he failed to award the Blues an injury time spot-kick after Cedric Kipre was bundled over by Hamza Choudhury.
Town boss Kieran McKenna was in no doubt that his side should have been awarded a last-gasp penalty in their 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Portman Road, dismissing referee John Busby’s explanation that he didn’t see Hamza Choudhury’s foul on Cedric Kipre as “not good enough”.