Martin Keen to Stay at Portman Road
Thursday, 28th Feb 2013 17:05

Town winger Lee Martin has reiterated his desire to remain at Portman Road when his four-year deal expires in the summer.

But the former Manchester United player, who cost £1.7 million when Roy Keane signed him in July 2009, accepts he will have to wait until at least the end of the current campaign before his future is decided.

With Ipswich still uncertain they will be playing in the Championship next term they are reluctant to make fresh offers to any players whose present agreements are about to run out.

Martin, 26, said: “I want to stay — I’ve said that all along — but the current situation probably doesn’t allow us to go into contract negotiations until we climb away from the bottom.

“We’re talking. It hasn’t stopped the discussions but I think it’s been put off until we see where we finish up.”

Martin was asked if he had spoken to other clubs, which he has been entitled to do since January under the freedom of contract rules.

He replied: “No, not really. Day to day you just come in, get your head down and work hard. There are more pressing issues to worry about than contracts. You put that to one side and get on with your football.”

Photo: Action Images

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Ipswich24 added 17:11 - Feb 28 No not really? so you have then. If anybody believes the rubbish these players talk you are deluded. He will look after his bank balance 1st and foremost
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ramseyn added 17:15 - Feb 28 Ipswich24, In fairness I think I would to.
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blues1 added 17:17 - Feb 28

before the barrage of comments slating him and saying that he should be let go, i will just say this. yes, he has been disappointing, certainly with his final ball and his finishing, but this, and his constant running for the team at least shows thta he cares and he wants to be here which i believe is a good thing from a player. whether thats enough to say he should be given another contract however is another thing altogether. if he could sort out his delivery into the box and start scoring a few goals then his contribution would be invaluable but not sure this will suddenly change. so, while i wont say he should go, i also wouldnt be gutted if he did. so guess you could say im sitting on the fence on this 1, and i make no apology for that as it is imo, in the balance as to whether he should be offered a deal or not.

strikalite added 17:21 - Feb 28 No not really means that his agent is doing that....and there aint no queue :) You can go anyway Martin, quite simply you're not good enough, I know your strengths but unfortunately your weaknesses outweigh them by a fair margin.
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Ipswich24 added 17:24 - Feb 28

Im not going to slate him on commitment and running around a lot. He is brilliant like that but I am not a proffesional footballer and I can do that. But what I will slate him for is in the 4 years he hasnt scored goals, he cant beat his marker and his final ball is quite frankly embarrasing. So I will judge him on that and anyone that knows anything about the game knows it aint good enough

Arthur added 17:26 - Feb 28 Ramseyn, That makes three of us (including LM) Yes his final product isn't great but he makes things happen on the pitch ... He gives 100% every time. ..... and we don't have a great record of replacing with better.
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brian_a_mul added 17:34 - Feb 28

He is a good player at this level. He wins a fair amount penos and free kicks.
He played well when in behind the striker, but MM doesnt play this way.

I think Martin could be on way out. His end product isnt good enough for a wide midfielder in 4-4-2. Plus not sure what his wages are and what he would be looking for, one thing is for sure if he does stay he will get reduced wages!

hampstead_blue added 17:41 - Feb 28

Sheer effort, a footballer doth not make.

He really frustrates me. He get's into great positions with his sheer effort and athleticism and then it's like the Orb Zorb ball.....it ends in deflation near the goal.

I've tried and tried to like his work, but he just hasn't shown enough of an end product to justify his inclusion.

I see why MM likes him. He works like a dog when he's on form.

Having said that, if he had the end product then he'd be worth £5m, but alas he doesn't and as such isn't.

I suspect another manager will be tempted to try and do what RK, PJ, and MM have all failed to do, get LM to create an end product worthy of the work rate.

Michael11 added 18:22 - Feb 28 I've been critical of Martin but i don't think he is a winger which doesn't help his performances. He was much more influential when he was just behind the striker last year. If he is willing to take a HUGE wage cut i think he might still come good.
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muhrensleftfoot added 18:38 - Feb 28 Who is Martin Keen?
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Marshalls_Mullet added 18:44 - Feb 28 No, not really = Yes. Thats fine, your choice. Just try not to patronise us fans like players do each year. Dont break the bank to keep this lad.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:47 - Feb 28

I don't understand the pure venom with which a decent percentage on here seem to hate LM. I agree he is hugely frustrating, and needs to work on certain areas of his game but as mentioned on this thread he isn't a natural winger.He has always said that in his mind his best position is behind the front one/two , and thats where he playedat man utd. Unfortunately apart from a spell under PJ, we dont play that way, so to slate him for playing wide is harsh.
When he played in the hole he was outstanding. He also has never courted trouble, or brought the club into disrepute, like several others , and he runs his legs off.
Should he be in the team ? Maybe not , but give the guy a break, there are a lot worse players and ambassadors for our club.

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:56 - Feb 28 As a footnote, I would be tempted to try him in that role again to try and help creativity problem. Murphy and Edwards wide, Hyam and N'daw holding and Marjtin behind Chopra.
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kuyski added 19:04 - Feb 28 hes not good but not very bad pls support all the players at this moment
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GrannyOnBongos added 19:10 - Feb 28

Agree with those who say he should be played just behind the front men. He was exceptional in that role. I'll never fathom why this club finds a position for players that works and then forgets about it after a change of manager. I despair that he'll move onto another club who do the simple thing and play him in his best position, and suddenly Martin's a new player.

TimmyH added 19:25 - Feb 28

Personally feel that he will be on his way out...he really doesn't contribute enough and that is part of our problem creatively at the moment, yes puts effort in but as others have mentioned in today's modern game is that enough when we are all looking for our team to improve and get out of the mire we have been in for numerous seasons. Saying that I feel he is not the only not to be offered a new contract.

jas0999 added 19:28 - Feb 28

MM will make the right decision. Everyone is entitled to their opinion though. Mine, is that Martin is not the worst player in the team - but alas he is probably not the answer going forward. Yet another player who gives 100%, runs and runs, but lacks the final ball and rarely scores. All in all, perhaps a squad player, but if his wages are to be believed, he would be an expensive back-up.

BlueToad added 19:33 - Feb 28 Cheerio Lee
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Talbs77 added 19:41 - Feb 28

Again have to agree with jas0999. Noone that watches him regularly can question his commitment to the team, theres no doubt he always gives 100%.

However theres no getting away how disapointing he hasbeen with his final delivery and goals ratio.

Lets be honest here though, he's not the only that has failed to live up to expectations, same could be said for Emmanual Thomas (thats his name, not a stupid nickname that makes him sound like a Gladiator), Chopra etc.

Ipswichbusiness added 19:51 - Feb 28 There will be a negotiation. Whether he is here next season will depend on how much he wants to be and how willing/able we are to make him an offer. Much will also depend on which division we are in; I very much hope it is the Championship, but if it's League One he'll be elsewhere.
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Armine6 added 19:57 - Feb 28

2 Pence in machine...

I have was frustrated when he was left out in the cold by RK as i felt I never had the chance to witness his full potential. However, on his return and long run of games i have been left disappointed; this i admit is probably slightly biased as i my expectation is guided by his price tag and my value for money assessment. In short, he does not chip in enough goals...Yes he runs around and make an effort... but so would a puppy.
If he excepts a considerable drop in pay, he is a good option for the bench but i believe we could get a better player for that kind of salary or lower.
In short, stay for wage drop if not, best wishes.
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wkj added 20:05 - Feb 28 I have a weird feeling Martin will be another player who flourishes away from Portman road. Martin has shown loads of possitive in patches; his biggest hand has been inconsistency. I'd love to see Martin stay as he really shone for a good few ges after Keane was replaced; but sadly his flame of late has been reduced to a flicker
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Edmunds5 added 20:19 - Feb 28

I think he is similar to JET in the sense that if you pay intricate football and allow him to get in between the lines then he can make an impact, unfortunatly we're playing rigid and he doesn't have the pace, skill or final ball to be a wide player, if you look at Tom Ince for example, he plays more of a free role now because despite his pace he probably struggles with crossing where as being in a free role or coming in from the right onto his shooting side, allow him to show all his assets, he has been utilised well. That said, Martin is 26, and if he hasn't delivered yet then he probably never will for us, he went to Charlton a few seasons back and scored a few there and I cannot help but think thats his level. I've got every faith we'll be ok and even if we do go down I don't feel he is worthy of being on £12k in League 1, and lets be honest he won't be willing to take a pay cut especially if he's spoken to other clubs who will improve his wages.

MichaelRockyLavelle added 20:24 - Feb 28

@Ipswich24
Martin is one of the only players in our team who is willing and often succeeds to beat players! I'm not sure how you can't give him that... I agree he rarely puts good crosses in.
No one can deny that he has been in poor form of late.
But this time last season he was practically MOTM every game, scored a few and created loads more. Him, with Hyam and Drury saved us last season imo.
Remember form is temporary, class is permanent. And he does have skill on the ball and isn't afraid to run with it. (like the majority of our other players)
I think he is worth a 2yr contract (on reduced wages perhaps)