Winger Lee Martin apologised to the rest of the Town squad after being sent off during last night’s 1-0 defeat to his former loan club Nottingham Forest last night. The 26-year-old was one of two Blues players to see red with defender Richard Stearman later dismissed for a second bookable offence having fouled Andy Reid.

Martin was issued his marching orders for a clash with Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury after the former Arsenal man had fouled him and told the club site: “I have to take full responsibility for the way I reacted. It shouldn’t have happened.

“The lad has come in on me and stamped on me while I’m on the floor. I pushed my arm out against him. It wasn’t malicious; it was ‘get off me’, that sort of thing. It was heat of the moment stuff.

“He made the most of it, which is disappointing, but like I said, I shouldn’t have reacted like I did.

“I’m gutted about it and apologised to the lads in the dressing room. I’ve got to sit out three games now when every game is crucial and that’s obviously a sickener.”

Martin felt he should have been awarded a spotkick earlier on in the half: “The first contact was outside but then the play carried on and they brought me down inside the box. It was a penalty.”

The midfielder will miss three games as a consequence of his third Blues red card - Fabian Wilnis, who was sent off four times with Town, is the only other Blues player to have picked up more, while Pablo Couñago, Sito and Alex Bruce have also go three - while Stearman will be banned for one game.

Photo: Action Images

Fatcatevans added 15:12 - Mar 7 Theobald1985 our best result under MM is a 4 nil win over Middlesbrough without Lee Martin. Apart from running around a lot what do you actually think he brings to the team, apart from ill discipline that is? Lets have a reasoned assessment not an emotive one. Do you think as an attacking player for instance we are entitled to expect perhaps one goal a season from him?

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h32 added 17:54 - Mar 7 lucytown - you're right, orbell118 was obviously going on nothing but rubbish - it was more of a nudge than anything else - PATHETIC DECISION FROM AN OFFICIAL. Anyone who knocks Martin for something so feeble - is way off the mark. Two of the worst 'sending off' decisions I have seen - totally undeserved. Whatever has happened to the integrity of this game ?
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TimmyH added 20:00 - Mar 7 Yeah agree - Martin's commitment is not at fault, it's his quality, crossing, dead ball skills and goal scoring that is! also agree not so sure where this loyalty is coming from for him. We won't miss him for the next 3 games.
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theobald1985 added 22:36 - Mar 7 idont know if it has escaped your attention ol fat cat but football does genrally involve running around alot so that is a quality.closing people down pressing high up the pitch nullifying the threat down the left.lee is an unselfish player he could score a few more goals but it would involve a percentage of failed attemts to beat the full back to do this. i dont think mick wants him risking possesion. if he took on a fullback ten times and beat them on 4 occasion that would be a good return but the 6/10 it did not work out you and the slaggers brigade would go spare and the other team would counter and possibly score. micks team would be 7th if the season started when he took over.lee has been a key player in this period no question. he has also been playing with strikers an d midfield who have not been getting in key positions.if they are not in the middle there is no point putting it in. he is also playing out of position and not complaining just trying his hardest for the team.his pressing high up the pitch will be key for us next season. THe Martin slaggers are unfortunately the sort of fans we could do without. If he went like you want fatcat it would only inconvenience you as you would have to find a new candidate to mindlessley abuse without the required knowledge or reason

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Fatcatevans added 15:05 - Mar 8 You are quite correct. he could score a few goals. But he doesn't.
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theobald1985 added 20:47 - Mar 8 fatcatevans weak response im taking that as an admission from you that your wrong and you take it all back and are going to volunteer to clean martins boots for the next 3 seasons at least
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Fatcatevans added 10:47 - Mar 9 You are unhinged if you think Martin will be here in 3 seasons time! Look we all want Town to do well. Just because you think Lee is the bees knees and I don't is irrelevant really. My point is running around and keeping the ball is the least a player should do. We need more than that and unfortunately Martin isn't providing it.
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