Lee Martin is delighted to be back in the Town side and doubly so to be playing in his favoured central position at last.

The 24-year-old has recently benefited from a change of role that has seen him switch into the middle after being typecast as a winger.

“I’m in my favourite position,” said Roy Keane’s £2 million summer of 2009 signing from his old club Manchester United.

”It’s the in-between role, helping Andy [Drury] and Luke [Hyam] in midfield and supporting the front lads.”

Martin was just 16 and regarded himself as a central midfielder when United signed him from Wimbledon in 2003.

But he added: “It was playing in the middle that got me my move but you know how it is — you show a bit of pace and they shove you out on the wing.

“The funny thing is that when Roy Keane came to watch me playing for the United reserves I was in the middle. I’d asked [then-United reserves manager] Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if he would give me a run there.

“But when Roy signed me he never gave me the opportunity to play there. Maybe he didn’t think I was strong enough or maybe he was looking for me to play out wide.

“I also made my first team debut for United in the more central position and now I feel I’m really capable of doing the job properly.

“I think the manager saw something he liked from me in training and I’ve taken the opportunity he has given me. It has worked out well for everybody.”

On Tuesday, Martin scored his first goal at Portman Road, a vital penalty just before half-time as the Blues hammered West Ham 5-1, taking his overall Town goals total to four in 38 starts and 14 sub appearances.

Photos: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

faith added 12:04 - Feb 3 Keep up the good work Lee!
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algarvefan added 12:11 - Feb 3 Mmmmm..............playing players in their best position, it'll never catch on :)
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AlanMahon2011 added 12:14 - Feb 3 Lee Martin is town's best player.
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Sindre94 added 12:16 - Feb 3 Hes excellent
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BlueVelvet added 12:19 - Feb 3 Not the most skillful finisher, but is improving, and 110% (as they say) for energy and effort
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suffolkpoker added 12:19 - Feb 3 he deserves it and he has had a bump town career
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Frase1987 added 12:20 - Feb 3 He can be our David Silva
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BlueBailey24 added 12:21 - Feb 3 Very Pleased with how Lee is playing, best player at the moment. Everytime I have seen him play he has looked dangerous, whay was he loaned out to Charlton!? Keep it up Lee - COYB
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BlueMoolay added 12:24 - Feb 3 Commited. You can see he really wants to play. His reaction when we score says it all. Always rated him. Player of the season (so far). Keep up the good work Lee....You deserve it. Well done.
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austractor added 12:33 - Feb 3 He struck his penalty really well, and you can tell he likes playing and isnt just showing up to make up the numbers.
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singtown added 12:35 - Feb 3 One of the youngsters that PJ should continue to groom, but careful also a transfer target for clubs looking for hungry players like lee Martin. Has been consistent and contributory to the team with pace and not afraid to take players on
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bluecrossy added 12:36 - Feb 3 Lee Martin has been an absolute revelation under Paul Jewell this season. Arguably our player of the season so far along with Cresswell.
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Duncan added 12:40 - Feb 3 He has the ability to break forward with pace which has be sorely missed in recent times, means even when we are on the back foot we have a counter attack in us!! Jus don't ask him to tackle! has my heart in my mouth more times than any other player I've seen at Portman road
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Mark added 12:46 - Feb 3 Martin has been superb recently and along with Emmanuel-Thomas and Chopra/Scotland potentially provides the most exciting attacking line up that we've had for years. The loan at Charlton probably brought Martin more down to earth and I must say that his work rate and attitude of late have been first class. As a key asset, we should offer Martin a new contract in the summer to avoid letting him get into his last year. I suspect it won't be easy as he is probably on a fair whack and I expect will need to take a pay cut, but maybe he would do so if offered another long term deal.

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BigginBlue added 12:46 - Feb 3 @bluebailey24 I disagree. I remember watching Ipswich away to Watford last year and me and my old man both agreed that he was the worst player to play professional football. However since he has returned, I have had to eat my words as he has been another class. However have to put him as towns second best player this year as cresswell has been consistently blinding to say the least

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TractorMan added 12:46 - Feb 3 Duncan - maybe he learnt his "tackling" from Scholes? :) He has been very good the last few games, but as with all our players (apart from Cresswell) it is consistency that is the problem. If he keeps up the level of performance from the last few days, combined with JET and Murphy and with Chopra up front we will have a very formidable attacking quartet! COYB!
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bluebud added 12:47 - Feb 3 Good player....good guy......totally committed to Town.............rubbish tipper in restaurants ;-)
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Keaneish added 12:50 - Feb 3 You played there for charlton and did well on a number of occasions so no idea why the dark lord didn't try it to often and why it's taken PJ a while but here's hoping it continues to pay dividends!! More goals from you now please Martin!
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Dissboyitfc added 12:59 - Feb 3 i have spoken of jewells faults and the blame he should shoulder, but this is one occasion when i can paul jewell credit, after all credit where its due, lee to take his share also... coyb
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blowsey added 13:07 - Feb 3 Agreed! Almost works too hard! Blackpool game he closed closed and closed and then in the 93rd min misses a sitter! Martin is hungry and I think he should play where ever he wants! Keep up the good work!
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Duncan added 13:14 - Feb 3 Tractor man :) agreed if you can call it tackling more like assault sometimes but hey do what ya good at, going forward and breaking out of our half I really like him!!!
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Benters added 13:17 - Feb 3 Good man keep up the good work matey
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heady added 13:18 - Feb 3 Great to see praise for Lee Martin... always knew he had the potential!
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itfc1981 added 13:27 - Feb 3 His main problem was he kept coming inside when a winger, always got caught out. So its best he has moved now.
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:42 - Feb 3 I didn't rate him at all, but fair do's, he has been a different player recently, especially since playing behind the front man. Was it a lucky accident by PJ, or should we give PJ the benefit of the doubt, and say what a brilliant tactician...
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