Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with striker Daryl Murphy’s display from the bench during Saturday’s 3-1 home victory over Middlesbrough, but wants to see more consistency from the Irishman. The 30-year-old, who finally joined the Blues on a permanent basis in the summer after three loan spells, was one of Town’s stand-out performers in the second half, combining well with man of the match David McGoldrick.
"I thought he was excellent,” McCarthy said. "That’s what I require from him week in, week out. Forty games a season I require that. I’ll take six below par for everybody.
"That’s the way it’s got to be, it’s got to be seven out of 10, week in, week out for 38, 40 games a season. You can have six bad ‘uns if you like, I’m not bothered, but I want consistency from everybody.”
In addition to praise for Murphy and McGoldrick, McCarthy was also impressed with loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe — who was watched by a scout from parent club Manchester United — as he made his first home start.
The Town boss says the 20-year-old, who is with the Blues until January, was replaced with Jay Tabb in the second half to add fresh legs.
"Tabby’s got energy to burn and I think Tunners had run his race,” McCarthy explained. "They were trying to stretch the pitch with their full-backs and width. He’s just got a lot of energy and he’s a good player.
"I think Tabby’s been really good and has been unlucky to be left out. But when we’d lost 75% of our games I changed it and I had to. But Tunnicliffe’s been different class, I’m really pleased with him.”
The former England U17 international is primarily a central midfielder but the Town manager says he enjoys the left-sided role he currently occupies for the Blues: "He’s played there. I discussed that with him.
"He played there at Peterborough and he’s quite happy, he quite likes that left-sided role coming in and he was unlucky not to get a goal coming in on his right foot.”