Town loan star Daryl Murphy has reflected on 2012 and predicted better times ahead for everyone connected with the club.

Murphy’s own form is on the up as he has already overtaken last season’s tally of four goals, netting five times already in the current campaign.

The player on loan from Celtic for a second successive season said: “We had some downs in 2012 but we’re on the up now. The main thing for me is to be playing and in my preferred position up front and I’m very happy with the way it’s going.”

Murphy is also quick to praise new boss Mick McCarthy and his former Wolves assistant, Terry Connor, who has made the switch to Portman Road to work alongside him again.

He added: “It’s all down to them. They’ve brought in self-belief and the way we play has improved. As you’ve seen before we’ve been a bit all over the place defensively at times, but now we are playing together as a team.

“Our defence has been much better — the lads have been absolutely brilliant — and Hendo in goal has been brilliant when called upon. I think we are definitely going in the right direction.

“If I had to single out one thing about Mick as a manager I would say it’s his man-management skills, which are very good. He knows how to talk to players the right way and it helps to get across his points about exactly what it is that you need to be doing.

“Everyone knows exactly what their job is and exactly what is needed from them in terms of work rate.”

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