Daryl Murphy is content to be an unsung hero for Town as they enter the second half of the season as genuine contenders for at least a play-off place.

Murphy is the team’s second leading scorer with seven goals but tends to be in the shadow of co-striker David McGoldrick, the top marksman who has netted 11 times.

The Irishman, who also does a lot of good work for the cause in helping to defend set pieces, has no problem with not being the main focus of attention in Mick McCarthy’s team.

He said: “I don’t mind that at all, as long as the team is doing well and we’re winning games. I don’t care who gets the plaudits. It’s nice to chip in with a few goals here and there, and if I can keep doing that and keep my place in the team I’ll be happy.

“Going back for corners and freekicks, that’s something I have always done anyway. That’s not changed and I don’t think it ever will.”

Murphy firmly believes he is playing the best football of his career, adding: “It’s the most goals I’ve ever scored going into a new year so that’s a good sign.

"I also know there’s definitely more goals in me. It’s just a case of taking the chances when they come along and hopefully I can do that over the next four or five months.

“We’re in the top six now and we want to stay there. We will if we beat Charlton on New Year’s Day and we want to finish as high as we can in the table.

"The gaffer has just said to concentrate on the Charlton game — I don’t know about the FA Cup tie against Preston on Saturday and whether or not I’ll be playing.”

Photo: Action Images

PavlovsCat added 09:00 - Jan 1 Really can't understand why some people fail to see the importance if Murph in the team. Does all the dirty work for the other striker(s), and provides a great outlet when under pressure. Lay off him.
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Len_Brennan added 09:17 - Jan 1 I agree with PavlovsCat. Murphy is a really useful player to have in the squad & he is clearly happy to be here. Also, 7 goals is not a bad return from him, so far, while we know that his wages are greatly reduced from what they were at his previous clubs. Having said all that, I fully expect Ebanks-Blake to quickly establish himself in the starting XI & forge a partnrrship with McGoldrick. When (if) that happens it may well see Murphy starting on the bench. In my opinion he is an excellent sub to introduce & can be a game changer with the different attributes he brings. I would certainly have him in the starting XI or introduced from the bench ahead of Nouble. We are looking very strong up front for the rest of the season; Taylor also can add a different dimension to the attack when needed. Hard to think of a Championship club to rival the strength of having those five fit & available between now & May.

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Jimmy86 added 09:34 - Jan 1 Murph really is a bit of an unsung hero for us and has scored some really vital goals for us this season, blackpool away and huddersfield at home being prime examples, def made us 6 points better off. Plus does a better job in that role than nouble. Probably the biggest thing with murph is the fact he took a sizeable pay cut to sign for us on a perm basis, shows commitment and fact he wants to play for us. If he were a better finisher he prob wouldnt be in the championship

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ipswichtillidie added 10:00 - Jan 1 When we signed him again I thought he would be a good squad player but it's turned out he has been a regular. Like alot of the current team lack of footballing ability is more than made up for with commitment, workrate and desire. Goes to show thats half the battle in this league as in all honesty over the last 3/4 years ability wise we have probably had better players. COYB

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LiamCP123 added 13:00 - Jan 1 Murph's a really important part of the team. Especially when we have a corner.
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