Town manager Mick McCarthy says that contrary to weekend newspaper reports he has no plans to allow midfielder Lee Martin to move on in January. The new boss was impressed with the 25-year-old’s performance in his first game at Birmingham on Saturday.

Speaking before Tuesday’s heavy defeat at Crystal Palace, McCarthy said: “When’s his contract? End of the season? Well, that’s what he’s going to be doing as far as I’m concerned.

“He played well on Saturday, for me. He put a right good shift in. I think we can get more out of him going forward because I think he’s got more ability in an attacking sense than he actually showed. But he put a shift in which was worthy of being mentioned. He was terrific.

“I’ve got eight loan players, what am I going to do, let him go? No, no chance, mate. I need players, I can’t be letting them go.”

Martin is one of 11 permanent squad members whose contracts are up at the end of this season, along with Andy Drury, Arran Lee-Barrett, Carlos Edwards, Jason Scotland, Nathan Ellington, Jack Ainsley, Cormac Burke, Ronan Murray, Joe Whight and Cheick Kourouma.

McCarthy says the situation can motivate players: “There are two ways of looking at it. Will they keep playing and will they be committed to the place? But let me tell you, a little bit of insecurity can make them run about more, as far as I’m concerned.

“It makes you work harder if you haven’t got a contract [for the following season]. Not everybody gets a contract when they’re Bosmans any more. They don’t all fall into better clubs, better wages and better contracts. Some of them don’t get jobs.

“I would like to think that any of them that are out of contract will be running around like scolded cats trying to prove to me that they really want to be staying here, that we can stay up and we can progress.

“There are two ways of looking at it, a negative way and a positive way. Thankfully mine is the positive.”

Photo: Action Images

casanovacrow added 10:25 - Nov 8 as much as I value Martins work ethic I would much rather get some money for him whilst we can and find a replacement who can cross or shoot without getting himself sent off
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TheHighwayman added 10:29 - Nov 8 Martin is like the schoolkid in the playground chasing the ball all over the show but getting nowhere. He's had long enough to make a mark. Get rid.
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rosseden added 10:32 - Nov 8 this is what id do with those lot...... Id keep martin if the contract is right, but if its too much then get rid...... Andy Drury, maybe ok as squad player not first team though Arran Lee-Barrett, maybe ok as squad player not first team though Carlos Edwards, keep for another year - something to offer Jason Scotland, keep for another year - something to offer Nathan Ellington, - i'll drive him wherever he wants to go myself, no returns though Jack Ainsley, Keep Cormac Burke, unsure yet, maybe year longer though Ronan Murray, keep Joe Whight, keep Cheick Kourouma, unsure yet, maybe year longer though seems like the new scouts are gonna be busy boys though, they need to find 20 players or so by next year!

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nolanfanips added 11:10 - Nov 8 I agree witht the TheHighwayman. Promises a lot but delivers very little. His end product is poor, can't cross and can't score goals.
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itfc1981 added 11:43 - Nov 8 would struggle to get 500k for the lot. Terrible quality in our squad
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itfchorry added 12:04 - Nov 8 Rosseden - you forgot that we need a new CEO !
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Daleyitfc added 12:13 - Nov 8 19 out of the door? Would be a good start ... another dozen or so to follow hopefully. They are all utter rubbish.
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tractorfact added 12:14 - Nov 8 Ive said from the start he'll go Nowt to change me mind really If he doesnt want to sign then sell him and use the money on somebody else
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irishtim added 12:26 - Nov 8 I dont think MM has much choice at the moment. Hopefully he can bring in some of his own players & move us up the table. Hopefully we can be a bit like palace next season.
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Carrotblue added 12:49 - Nov 8 Let's hope by the time the transfer window is back on we are not too far adrift
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MathieandMarshall added 13:18 - Nov 8 I am on the fence about this one. While i appreciate Martin's work rate and energy i am not sure if he offers enough to justify playing one up front to accomodate him (in the role off the lone striker.) He doesnt get in the game when played out wide and although he looks busy playing off a striker i dont really expect him to put the ball in the net and i cant remember too many assists. Would we be better off getting some cash for him now and playing 442??? As i said... on the fence!

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Bergholtblue added 13:31 - Nov 8 His goals ratio is poor, he can't cross, but does get through some good work in linking with the strikers when played up front, not as a wide man. If MM/TC can get some more out of him, in the form of goals or decent crosses, then he can be an assett to the team. However, we don't want him to be another on the long list of those who have walked away for nothing. Sign him up by the end of Dec or sell in January. Get some return on him for our initial outlay at least.

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kerryblue added 13:52 - Nov 8 Anouther baby step in the right direction towards the premiership
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alfromcol added 15:01 - Nov 8 So far Martin has contributed 4 assists, we have only scored 16 goals. He has played a direct part in a quarter of the goals scored, not bad in my book. However, he does need to score some himself. 25 shots and no goals - not good.
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cantona11 added 15:29 - Nov 8 I think if he can channel his effort and have an end product he would be more affective cos wot I see in him is that he is a bit of a headless chicken and I thought he was a better player just behind the striker put him on lower wages and see if he really cares about this club as I feel that some player r playing for money and not for the club
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meekreech added 15:43 - Nov 8 Cantona11 He doesnot care about the club or he would have signed his new contract offer .
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TractorBeezer added 15:56 - Nov 8 Canton11 He does not care about the club or he would have signed his new contract offer . Do you know what was on the table? We haven't exactly had a reputation for effective win/win contract negotiations lately. Clegg? I like MM's bold talk but perhaps he hasn't yet been informed about the Norris, MacAuley and Leadbitter negotiations.
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ericclacton added 16:31 - Nov 8 Has anyone heard about buy a Burnley ticket, then get one free in December,or is my brother talking out of his elbows.
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cantona11 added 17:13 - Nov 8 I'm glad two of you r with me but don't want people thinking I hate the bloke and give him the benefit of the doubt but to be honest I hope he doesn't sign as I think there r far better players out there that can at least cross the ball and to one of our players
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Ipswichbusiness added 18:26 - Nov 8 Well, whether you like it or not, Lee (like all footballers) is on a fixed term contract. That contract expires at the end of the season. At that point both parties (i.e. the player and the club) can go their own ways. Under the Bosman ruling, Lee is entitled to start shopping around for another club from January and there is nothing that either Mr McCarthy or the club can do to stop that save to sign him up on a new contract (which he is entitled to reject).

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Arthur added 19:13 - Nov 8 Good.
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Arthur added 19:13 - Nov 8 Good.
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yorksblue added 19:27 - Nov 8 "Get more out of him, going forward" Nice thought, Mick, but how many of his previous managers, both here and at other clubs, have said the same thing? You may as well P**s in the wind
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coyb99 added 07:37 - Nov 9 Just what we need. Brilliant.
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