IPSWICH TOWN: Blues keeper Brian Murphy admitted today that he should probably have kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s 1-0 Championship defeat at Hull City.

Murphy came in for his second league game of the season in place of Marton Fulop and was beaten by a deflected 77th minute shot by Robert Koren to give a struggling home side all three points.

Hoping that he did enough to keep his place for the crucial derby game at Carrow Road on Sunday and then the ‘big‘ Carling Cup quarter-final against West Brom on Wednesday week, Murphy said:

“I‘m not sure if we went to the KC Stadium for a draw but we certainly went for a clean sheet.

“And we should probably have kept one.

“It’s a while since we’ve achieved one and this was perhaps why I was brought in.

“It’s down to the keepers and the back fours and despite looking okay for much of Saturday’s game we were unable to finish the job.

“You have to go to the 94th minute or whenever and although it was not a classic by any means we battled away well.”

Murphy said there was a deflection on Koren’s hopeful shot and explained: “I don’t know whether I would have saved it as it did not feel as though I got close to the ball.

“Perhaps we should have got a block in and it looked as the touch put the effort closer into the corner of the goal.

“The Norwich game would be a perfect time to end this run and the manager and coaching staff will ensure that we put in the right effort this week.

“Things are not going our way and although the gaffer doesn’t like cheaters perhaps a little cleverness when Connor Wickham was pulled back would have won us a penalty near the end.

“It’s all ifs and buts and you have to earn your luck.”

After doing well last season following his move from Bohemians 12 months ago, Murphy effectively became number two behind Fulop when the Hungarian international arrived in the summer.

“I’ve had to bide my time, but hopefully I can now get a run in the team,” Murphy added.

The gaffer has always said that no player is guaranteed a place and hopefully I’ve given him a few thoughts. I was not overworked but I thought I did okay.

“It‘s always frustrated when you’re not playing, and I love playing games, but what I want and what I get do not always compare.”