Town’s visit to basement boys Coventry today has special significance for in-form Lee Martin, fresh from converting his first senior penalty in the 5-1 midweek mauling of Championship leaders West Ham.
Martin, 24, recalled the last time Ipswich played Coventry, winning 3-0 at Portman Road in September, and how he watched the action unfold live on Sky Sports from the comfort of his own armchair at home in Kent.
He said: "Back then I was a long, long way from holding down a regular place in the side. The gaffer wasn’t even speaking to me at the time.
"I had collected a few yellow cards and when I picked up a red in our 7-1 defeat at Peterborough it sent him over the edge.
"He’d had enough of me and sent me to train with the youth team. I remember thinking to myself ‘How am I going to get back in the team?’
"But I also knew that things can change very quickly in football. It’s all about staying focused, being confident in your ability and making sure that when you do get your chance again you are ready to take it.
"And now, the situation now could hardly be more different.”