Town star Lee Martin admits his own form has suffered during the club’s lacklustre start to the new season that has seen them win just one of their opening eight league games.

The former Manchester United player said: “It’s been a bit mixed really but that’s inevitable. As a team we haven’t been great and individually, obviously, it’s been a bit hit and miss.

“We’ve tried a lot of formations now and you sometimes have to do a job for the team. On Saturday at Barnsley it was one of those where you had to graft and work hard, and as far as the group are concerned we are all pushing together.

“There’s no hiding the fact that I like playing in the middle and being able to get on the ball but if the manager wants me to do another job I’m quite happy to do it.”

Martin contributed five goals last season but has failed to break his scoring duck in his 10 appearances during the current campaign.

He added: “Playing through the middle you are always looking to create. But I’ve played more games out wide and things just don’t seem to have fallen for me, although I’m sure that will change at some point.”

He may not have found the net yet but at least he boasts a clean disciplinary record after collecting six yellow cards and one red last term.

Martin grinned: “Yes, I’m on my best behaviour now. I’m a new man. It’s part of growing up and I feel I’ve done that.”

Photo: Action Images

irishtim added 12:02 - Oct 2 Doing alot of talking today. Hopefully a good performance tonight Lee. Earn a new contract.
0

IamSpartacus added 12:06 - Oct 2 Its funny- although not really- that last season our better footballing displays were with Martin just behind the striker/s and Hyam sitting deep. Martin was/is a key player for us (until he leaves on a free at the end of the season), so why aren't we looking to play him in his best position?
0

Ebantiass added 12:29 - Oct 2 Good luck tonight Lee and the rest of the team,well need it. Time to deliver boys.
0

Blue_Armee added 12:30 - Oct 2 For me this is one of the biggest problems that both Jewell and Keane before him have brought upon themselves. If you play players in positons they are comfortable and confident in then they will perform. Keane era, 4 centre backs in back 4, no full backs, central midfielders (Leadbitter) playing wide? Jewell era Martin best position behind front man, wingers (Edwards) at full back, centre forwards (Murphy) as wide midfielders, Ainsley full back at centre back? I know we need to change formation sometimes without using subs but in my opinion we have played too many players out of position for a number of years now.

0

Jon_456 added 12:42 - Oct 2 ^As much as id like to see hewitt play for us soon, i think some people under estimate what edwards gives us at right back. although he may get caught out of position sometimes and it obviously no the greatest of players defensively, hes pace even at 33 often helps him out against wingers and i feel if ainsley was to play there hed get caught out from pacey wingers alot more than edwards would. also, if we were to play murphy upfront, we would have to play 4-4-2 and that has proven to rarely work for us as we lack width with the diamond, but get cut open through the middle if we play wingers in 4-4-2.

0

cornishnick added 12:47 - Oct 2 Is this Lee Martin story week?
0

irishtim added 12:52 - Oct 2 Jon 456. It seems no matter what formation we try we still get found out. If Ainsley at right back with Edwards in front of him it would protect the lad. Something we will have to try when hewitt fit. Ideally our full backs to interchangr with our wingers would work. If the full back pushes forward then the winger covers for him. Hence i would play smith left full back with cressy on the wing.Ainsley or Hewitt at right full with Edwards on the wing. Gives us options and a bit of pace.

0

Blue_Armee added 12:54 - Oct 2 Dont get me wrong Edwards does a good job for us and at present we have no other realistic options, I am just trying to make the point that most players are suited to certain roles in the team and both Keane & Jewell have put players in positions they are not comfortable with and this leads to inconsistency and confidence dips. Guess this goes back to transfer dealings and getting the right players in at the right time, but to steady the ship at present, with a team that lacks confidence put round pegs in round holes.

0

Jon_456 added 13:01 - Oct 2 Irishtim, agree with you on edwards infront of hewitt, but have to disagree with smith at fullback, think hed be a complete liability there with his lack of pace. Even if he was to have cover from cresswell, wingers will always get caught out at some point, and wont be able to cover him all the time. dont see whats wrong with carson infront of cresswell
0

petermorris added 15:03 - Oct 2 Martin's form has gone because he's not staying — not prepared to accept League 1 wages. He'll be off.
0

Wickets added 15:17 - Oct 2 Yer he'll wander off at the end of his contract,we have seen it coming for about a year!nothing seems to change these days at this once great club.
0

righty added 15:58 - Oct 2 He has been played out of position most of the time he should go to a club with ambition like Rochdale
0

h32 added 19:04 - Oct 2 Lee Martin is typical of someone who has been seriously messed around by this unprofessional outfit (charade of a Club) - continuously played out of position, more often than not, and now being treated with utter contempt. Of course he needs to know where he stands, and if the Club do not know if they want to keep him - then why not ?? - but then again - no short, medium, or long term plan in existence so what can anyone expect. Play LM in his best / preferred position - and he is an asset to any Club. And he obviously wants to stay - only he knows why !! - probably got a cheap freebie lined up to replace him, (on a month's loan, of course) - 'nothing too long term'. The whole charade - is CR#P.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls