Lee Martin in action against Blackburn
‘Sign or be sold’: Lee Martin definitely wants the former and sooner rather than later
By Dave Gooderham
Monday, August 20, 2012
7:51 AM
LEE Martin has become the second Blues star in a matter of days to publicly declare their commitment to Paul Jewell’s side.
On Wednesday left-back Aaron Cresswell, who had attracted interest from Aston Villa, gave Blues fans the perfect fillip ahead of the new season by insisting he was happy at the club and wanted to stay here for years.
Martin is entering the last year of his contract and is set to become the first player to test Jewell’s tough new stance of ‘sign or be sold’.
But speaking about the situation for the first time following Town’s opening-day 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, Martin told the Star he falls very much into the first category and has called on the powers-that-be to get it done.
He said: “Of course, I want to stay. I love it here, I am enjoying it and I am playing where I wanted to play for years. I get on with all the boys.
“There are ongoing discussions, but I would like to get it wrapped up sooner rather than later.
“I’m not sure how close we are at the moment – that is left between my agent and the club. A lot of players get caught up in it, but I just play and concentrate on my football.”
Martin has continued the feel-good factor around the Blues after almost 20,000 supporters saw Town come from behind against big-spending Blackburn to earn an impressive draw.
In front of a noisy Portman Road crowd, Martin said: “The fans can see what we are trying to do here. We want to do things the right way and bring in a few youngsters. I know fans are passionate about that and they were brilliant.”
The one sour note was Jewell admitting after the match that the bid he had made on Thursday for an unknown player had been rejected.
The manager had admitted he was confident of landing the mystery man – thought to be Derby County striker and long-time target Steve Davies – and he is now expected to increase his offer with Bristol City also showing interest.
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11 comments
TrueBlue, what is your explanation of Jewell's man management skills in respect of Tommy Smith, sent off in the same game at Peterborough ?
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Brian Betts
Thursday, August 23, 2012
OK, True Blue you have explained the 'genius' of PJ in handling the man management of Lee Martin after his sending off at Peterborough last season. What was PJ's psychological motives in his abject handling of Tommy Smith for his sending off in the same game ?
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Brian Betts
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
i typed a more detailed response yesterday but for some reason it appears to have been rejected. So a more abriged answer Sparticus- He didnt have to bring Martin back, he chose too. Keane thought we could do with out him for a season having hardly played him. PJ chose to bring him back proptly put him in the team. Brian- He was dropped becasue thats what he deserved. He comiitted a stuoid foul and got sent off quite unesecerialy and not for the first time. PJ showed he expects more. I think most managers would consider dropping a player for that kind of display. Old timer- The proof is in the pudding. Martin was subsequently brought back into the fold and played out of his skin. He has also clearly stated he loved life at town. Clearly in this instance what PJ did, did the trick. You can not argue with the result or his form- If you can he watch two diffrent teams. This backed up by Lees clear desire to get a contract signed when he must have other suitors. Let us hope Cleggy can get the deal done
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TrueBlue
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
TrueBlue - not only did Jewell drop him after the P'boro game - but he actually refused to speak to him for several weeks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is this your idea of 'man management' - most grown ups would call it childissh & petulant ???
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Old Timer
Monday, August 20, 2012
Brian he was dropped because it was warrented IE a stupid sending off and not the 1st time he's done it. The result? Martin got his head down worked hard and put in some stonking perfromances and all it took was a manger who could actully get across to the player what he wanted and expected. Sounds like good work to me. Are you suggesting that ater getting sent off in the 1st half of a game for a petulant foul warrents some sort of praise? I would think any player might find themselves dropped after that kind of shenanigan. Sparticus PJ had plenty of options. He didnt have to bring Martin back from Charlton nor did he have to play him, he did. Now as Lee puts himself "He loves it here"- To think we would probably have been moved on by now if Keane had remained in charge. Its amazing how many of the players are at odds with the point of view of some of the posters on here. Last I checked Cleggy was in charge of securing the signings. PJ chooses the tagrets.
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TrueBlue
Monday, August 20, 2012
So why did our 'top man manager' drop him after the Peterborough slaughter last season, True Blue?
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Brian Betts
Monday, August 20, 2012
@ Trueblue: more brought on by neccesity rather than Jewell's inspired management. The fact that he is incapable of signing anyone forces him to play the younger players. Thankfully, whilst we are in this position the match experience the players get will be great for them, and for the next manager when he takes over in the New year.
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I am Spartacus
Monday, August 20, 2012
Whilst credid should indeed go to Mr Keane for signing Martin, far more should go to PJ for bringing him back from Charlton, letting him know what was expected and getting the best out of him. Yet another player happy at town and saying what a great sense of togetherness the squad has- Once again more eveidance of good man management by PJ
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TrueBlue
Monday, August 20, 2012
Ipswich really need to keep Lee Martin, he puts in a good shift and on saturday was probably our best player on the pitch.His energy and enthusiasm are priceless.
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shaughan
Monday, August 20, 2012
Martin was excellent. Credit to the manager who signed him.
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Jason
Monday, August 20, 2012
Perhaps a bit of perspective might help your rank bad journalism. Martin was signed on a ludicrously generous contract at the peak of the post-sell out stupidity. The reality is that he will be offered greatly reduced terms to stay with a financially strapped moribund club - almost certainly under new management - both of the team and the club. In other words anything can happen - and will.
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Rob Steroo
Monday, August 20, 2012