Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray believes that Liam Delap’s form could be the difference for Ipswich Town as they look to survive in the Premier League.
Some pundits had highlighted the Blues’ lack of goals early on in the campaign, although they faced Liverpool and Manchester City in their first two fixtures.
Nonetheless, it seems clear that their attacking output won’t be quite as sharp as it was in the Championship, which is what most newly-promoted sides find when they return to the top flight.
Delap, however, seems to be thriving in the Premier League, having scored an exceptional goal against Fulham before bagging a brace against Aston Villa. He also showed real quality in the final third against Liverpool and Brighton, suggesting that he’s unlucky not to have more than three goals.
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Murray believes that there’s more to come from him, adding that his red-hot start could play a big part in Town’s battle to avoid a bottom-three finish.
“He’s had a brilliant start,” the 41-year-old said on Sunday’s Match of the Day 2. “I think one of the things that’s thrown at newly-promoted clubs is a lack of goals and that worry. He’s been exceptional.
“He’s always lively, always on the move. What I like about him is that he’s never really marked, he’s always moving and finding that yard of space.
“If he keeps putting in performances like that, he might just be the difference between Ipswich being a Premier League team at the end of the season and not.
“I think if you can hit double figures in a newly-promoted side, that’s a success. If you’re hitting 12, 14, I think that’s exceptional.
“For me, I think he’s stepped up. He obviously came for a lot of money from Manchester City’s reserves, effectively. He’s out there to prove himself.
“He’s served his dues, he’s been out on loan a few times, he’s learned his trade and he’s learned about the game.
“Now we’re seeing him start to compete at this level and looking like he could be the difference.”
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