When Lee Martin joined Ipswich back in 2009, it did not seem to be the most inspiring of signings by Roy Keane.

Martin had been something of a journeyman, having had loan spells at Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke, Plymouth, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest. Furthermore, he had only managed to make three first team appearances for Manchester United during his six-year spell at the club.

Admittedly, it is a tough ask to break into the United first team, but it is not as if they are not a club that do not give their brightest young players a chance. The point is, Lee Martin had a lot to prove to myself and many other Ipswich fans.

Shortly after he signed, I did the usual thing with new player, and delved into the YouTube archives to see if there was any footage that would suggest he had a bright future in the game. Sure enough, there was. A stunning 35-yard strike against Guangzhou in a pre-season fixture.

Of course, that did little to temper the lingering doubts I had about his ability to hold down a regular place in our team – especially considering he would be competing with the likes of Jon Walters, Luciano Civelli and Jaime Peters for a place in the side.

Indeed, his first season at Ipswich probably could be described as disappointing – much like how things were for the entire time he played under the management of Roy Keane.

A loan spell at Charlton seemed to be the turning point, though, and since then he seems to have really forced himself under the nose of the manager, Paul Jewell. Now, we find ourselves talking about him as one of our best players.

It is remarkable, but should not be, considering this is a young man who was snapped up by Manchester United from Wimbledon in 2003, and expected to be one of the brightest young talents in English football.

You can see why now. His goal against Birmingham a couple of weeks ago was particularly memorable – the way he picked up that ball on the halfway line and dribbled to about 25 yards from goal before unleashing a left-footed thunderbolt into the top corner was something you rarely see from the average Championship player.

His run against Coventry at the weekend to get into the box and win a penalty was another example of his fantastic dribbling ability.

There is no one else quite like him in the Town team – somebody who is prepared to pick the ball up and run at players. He has a raw, unadulterated directness about him that reminds me time and time again of Tottenham and Wales winger Gareth Bale.

Today it was announced that Michael Chopra and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas had been included in the Championship Team of the Week, but in truth, they should almost certainly have been joined by Martin and probably even Andy Drury.

That midfield five that Paul Jewell is picking at the moment seems to have that desire about it that we have not seen from other players earlier in the season. Daryl Murphy is doing a solid and consistent job as well, which is always good to see.

The likes of Martin, Emmanuel-Thomas, Drury, Hyam and Murphy are precisely the reason for our turn around in form. I haven't even mentioned yet how exciting these players can be to watch, but the great thing is, they can all get better and better.

It is easy to write about Ipswich Town when things are going well, so long may that trend continue. A convincing win against Middlesbrough next weekend, and all of a sudden we can start looking up the table rather than down it.

ITFCed added 17:11 - Feb 6 Very good blog. You are right about Martin and he has become more consistent in his game recently which is fantastic to watch. I think Jay Emmanuel-Thomas could have a bright footballing future, he is a raw talent but unfortunatey is still inconsistent eventhough he has played well over the last 2 months or so.
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Ipswich24 added 17:28 - Feb 6 Reminds you of Gareth Bale what planet are you on? Yes Martin has played well lately that is not in doubt but come on!!!!
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rosseden added 17:35 - Feb 6 good blog...... the way I see it Lee Martins recently matured a bit, just like JET still needs to, so much in life is about your attitude to a task coupled with ability, rather than sheer ability. Beckham is the best example of this, any interview with him, he always says it, he trained and trained and trained until he was good enough to be picked, yes he had ability, but he needed to work hard & be mature about it.....

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Shergar added 17:45 - Feb 6 My god, you're an idiot. Gareth Bale? They're completely different players, their dribbling techniques are completely different. Martins run into the box against Cov was hardly "fantastic dribbling ability". You seem to make a point and then just argue against it in your next point. And Lee Martin didn't have much competition from Civelli as he was starting a year long injury. You clearly enjoy writing dull stuff but it's absolutely terrible so please stop wasting your time and inflicting it onto the world.

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WonkyZombie added 17:57 - Feb 6 Shergar, do you get off on belittling people? There was no need to completely lambast this blog, which is just an individual's opinion. Your response had no opinion in it whatsoever; it was plain spite and nastiness.
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davekl12 added 18:00 - Feb 6 That's very harsh, while Martin and Bale are a class apart from each other, I can see what he/she is getting at. It was a fairly appropriate subject to talk about; Martin has shown promise recently, it was by no means a boring blog whatsoever. However, while we all want to be positive about our current predicament, let's remember that we've just scraped past Coventry by the skins of our teeth, hardly an appetizing thought for the Middlesbrough game. Unfortunately every game is pretty much a lottery with the state of our dire defensive performances.... But still, let's stay positive!

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blrmy added 18:03 - Feb 6 Shegar - too harsh mate. Content drives this site, whilst I may not agree with every blog it's outrageous to tell people not too post. You have a go.
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BillBlue added 18:08 - Feb 6 I understand exactly how you feel and what you are saying in this blog and basically everything you say is sound and very valid, so good blog. Shergar, I don't see anyone insisting on you reading it so, if your opinion differs, why be so bloody rude? I notice your input in this area has been nil so why not just back off, friend. COYB
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WonkyZombie added 18:17 - Feb 6 Shergar, do you get off on belittling people? There was no need to completely lambast this blog, which is just an individual's opinion. Your response had no opinion in it whatsoever; it was plain spite and nastiness.
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WonkyZombie added 18:17 - Feb 6 Shergar, do you get off on belittling people? There was no need to completely lambast this blog, which is just an individual's opinion. Your response had no opinion in it whatsoever; it was plain spite and nastiness.
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TractorMan added 18:17 - Feb 6 Good blog. It is getting the most out of and making consistent players like Martin, JET and Carson that will define whether Jewell is a success here. Just need a solid defence and we will be almost there
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MarkITFC added 18:24 - Feb 6 Great Blog , i agree lee martin is now at last becoming a good team player and doing his part. The future is players like lee martin, hyam , Jet cresswell etc ... we need to build a team around these players ! .. Full of Hunger , pace and fight !! Some people slating this are sad sad People if u dont agree then fine but no need to hail abuse saying he's an Idiot ? .. whats the point in commenting ? !!

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s6blue added 18:42 - Feb 6 good blog, well said
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Whymarktonomarks added 19:24 - Feb 6 'Shergar,' you should change your name to 'Dogmeat,' pal . 'Pal,' 'gettit' ?
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Lightningboy added 19:39 - Feb 6 Just goes to show how a player can be transformed if given a decent run in the team.. ..it's now a completely different team to the "diamond" we were playing at the start of the season (not one of those 4 : Bowyer,Bullard,Leadbitter,Andrews are now playing)..the likes of Drury & Hyam have become the future & I for one hope PJ sticks with them..I still think there's a role for Bullard in all of this too - he's too good to get rid of & would be the perfect super sub if & when needed.

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Garv added 19:57 - Feb 6 Lightningboy just a point about 'the future' its a shame Drury wasn't picked up a few years ago having never before broken into the football league. He's 28. Obviously a few more years left in him but not a young'n as many seem to suggest.
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WarkyWonderLand added 20:42 - Feb 6 Positivity is a novelty on here of late but its great. And hyam is our Scott parker. Not flash, strong in the tackle and does the simple things well. Drury is still young and he looks a fit strong lad. All of a sudden, whether by good fortune or not, we do have a nucleas of players to take us forward. Keep these together PJ and get a decent keeper, centre half and right back for next year and we could be doing something. Had he have adopted a different philosophy at the begining of the season and blended youth PJ would still have kept the majority of supporters on his side. If he keeps this going you never know. Coyb

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ThatMuhrenCross added 20:51 - Feb 6 Thanks guys, as always, I appreciate the positive comments you have all left. I accept not everyone will agree with what I say. Whilst I did draw a comparison between Bale and Martin, it was by no means suggesting Martin is of the same calibre, or indeed a carbon copy of Bale - just that he shares one particular asset. Just surprised that Shergar hasn't picked up on each individual error in it like he has been known to in the past. I happen to have had the misfortune to meet the unfortunate little man behind the username before, and needless to say, it is not just on TWTD that he is an obnoxious lout either....

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Shergar added 21:02 - Feb 6 I'm entitled to my opinion too and I just put mine forward in a more blunt fashion. When have I met you before, out of interest?
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ThatMuhrenCross added 22:38 - Feb 6 Assuming you are the same guy who posted under the name Shergar a few years back, you and I went to college together, and you had a habit of picking up on my every mistake back then. Still working at Isaacs?
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Radlett_blue added 22:57 - Feb 6 Apparently, Martin got quite a few injuries when on loan at Rangers & a nasty knee injury developed - at the Blunts, I think. By all accounts, this led him to lose a little pace & I guess it's taken him a while to adapt. I agree the Charlton loan spell, when he played regular football, helped him get some confidence back. He's 25 this week so time to keep delivering on a regular basis - hopefully!

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mightytown added 00:02 - Feb 7 good blog. agree with most. sorry about shergar, his comments would seem to indicate he has a small penis. drury not young agreed but as hes come into this level of football at a later stage of his career he possess a youthful energy to his game, he is as hungry as the kids he plays alongside. martin is proving to be a very big player for us and long may his development and maturity continue.

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La_Paz added 00:13 - Feb 7 Good stuff. I think you touched on an important point; Murphy has been excellent since his return from injury. He gives us the 'out' ball that all teams need under pressure, and is the only member of the team who can really make an impact in the air. Much under-rated IMO, and doing such a good job that he is keeping Carson on the bench. Meanwhile Martin has been a revelation since the sending-off incident, and has played like a man possessed ever since his return to the team. For so long we waited to see the end product but now he is finally producing, seemingly through sheer force of will. I share the worries of naa on the previous blog however that PJ is not convinced by Drury and Hyam; these two have been instrumental in our upsurge and fully deserve their places. Hold your nerve PJ, if it ain't broke etc.. COYB!

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clarkey85 added 01:38 - Feb 7 Calm down peeps!! I see what ur gettin at about martin and he deserves every piece of praise going his way hes worked hard when everyone including the manager was writing him off! I think i remember jewell sayin something like martin wont play for him again after sending off at p'boro??
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singtown added 02:06 - Feb 7 Hey Shergar, don't have to be so critical yah? You can disagree with comments in blogs but need not be harsh on fellow town supporters. Unless you aren't? We only hope to see the best for the team yah, cheers
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