Source: Northern_Echo
Murphy keen to show Bruce he should play as a striker
A REVITALISED Daryl Murphy revelled in the delight of ending a two-year wait for a goal by cheekily suggesting that Sunderland manager Steve Bruce might finally realise he is a striker.[LNB] Bruce sent one of his scouts to Portman Road on Saturday to run the rule over the three men he has allowed to join Ipswich on loan until the end of the season in action against Middlesbrough.[LNB] While David Healy, who supplied the cross for the opening goal, and Jack Colback, who was impressive in midfield, turned in sound performances, it was Murphy's appearance that will have caused the biggest stir on Wearside.[LNB] After months of feeling unwanted at the Stadium of Light, and even longer being used more as a left-winger than a front-man, the 25-yearold took just 22 seconds as an Ipswich player to open his account.[LNB] It was his first goal since February 9, 2008, when he scored in a 2-0 win over Wigan, and he could not hide his satisfaction having been given the opportunity to play in attack by his former boss, Roy Keane.[LNB] When he was told Sunderland would receive a scouting report from the fixture, a beaming Murphy said: He might think I'm a striker now, maybe he won't see me as a left-midfielder anymore.[LNB] But Murphy will not be taking anything for granted and instead of thinking about returning to Sunderland he is intent on making the most of his first team chances under Keane.[LNB] You would hope that if I can score the goals here then if I went back to Sunderland I would get the chance as a striker, he said. But all I'm trying to do is enjoy my time here and score as many as I can.[LNB] Ever since I have been playing football I have been stuck out on left-midfield, just because I have a left foot and I can cross a ball. It's a handy option for managers because there are a lot of strikers wherever you are. At Sunderland there were some very good strikers ahead of me.[LNB] I think the gaffer (Keane) knows it's my best position.[LNB] The Sunderland manager said go and get yourself some games, I know it's hard for you here with the strikers we have got, but it's best to go out and get games'.[LNB] It was a relief to be playing up front, I had forgotten what it was like to score a goal.[LNB] Coming here to play as a striker was a big thing for me. I have been wasted as a leftmidfielder and I just wanted the chance to play as a striker.[LNB] Murphy had expressed to Bruce an interest in moving to Ipswich, but the Irishman was stunned when he was joined in Suffolk by Sunderland team-mate Healy.[LNB] Neither have had much of a chance under Bruce, but there was a feeling among the squad that Sunderland were light on attacking options even before the attacking pair were off-loaded on loan.[LNB] I was surprised he let David go to be honest, said Murphy, who has spent fourand- a-half years in the North- East.[LNB] I was talking to the manager about it and he was fine about me going, but when I heard David was going as well it was very surprising.[LNB] They only had Darren Bent, Fraizer Campbell and Kenwyne Jones. That's it, and now Benjani, but they didn't know that when they were allowing us to leave.[LNB]
