Daryl Murphy has lost his golden touch

What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago Daryl Murphy was in the midst of the most prolific season of his career.

A goal in the 2-0 win over Blackpool brought his tally to eight. He would finish the campaign with 27, a remarkable haul that nearly brought Mick McCarthy’s men to the Premier League.

A year on, the narrative is very different. Nearly a third of the way through the Championship season Murphy has yet to find the net. The drought, inevitably, is hurting Ipswich. On Saturday they were held to a scoreless draw by Cardiff City, a result that leaves them winless in their last seven league games and six points off a play-off spot.