Daryl Murphy delivered a below-par performance against Preston North End on Saturday and was eventually hooked after 70 minutes despite Nottingham Forest searching for a winner. The game finished 0-0 at Deepdale and Martin O’Neill might be considering a change ahead of the Reds’ next league outing as they’ve been short of goals in recent weeks.
Murphy has struggled since returning from injury in December, scoring just one goal in all competitions since September – against Leeds United on January 1, 2019. The 35-year-old failed to register a shot on target against Preston over the weekend and he failed to create a chance for a teammate too. He won 12 aerials duels but found himself replaced in the second-half for Joao Carvalho.
The Ireland international has had just one shot on target in four weeks, he’s failed to score in his last six games and he is frequently substituted by O’Neill. Murphy has been brought off in five of his last seven league appearances. He’s lasted a full 90 minutes only three times this season. His advancing age may be to blame, but his lack of influence will also be a factor.
