Ipswich Town's Lee Martin toe-pokes home his second goal against Cardiff City on Saturday
Paul Jewell heaps praise on Lee Martin after midfielder’s brace in 3-0 win over Cardiff City
By Stuart Watson
Saturday, February 18, 2012
6:14 PM
IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell heaped praise on two-goal hero Lee Martin following a 3-0 win over high-flying Cardiff City at Portman Road.
The direct-running midfielder – who is in the form of his life playing an advanced central role – opened the scoring with a calm side-footed effort in the 20th minute after the visitors had dominated the opening exchanges.
Town took charge from then on though and, after Michael Chopra netted his fifth goal in four games to make it 2-0 quickly after the restart, Martin toe-poked in from close-range in the 73rd minute to seal all three points. It was his fifth goal of the season.
“He’s found a little role within the team,” enthused Jewell. “Me and Lee have had our ups and downs, that’s been well documented – he’s been ill-disciplined at times – but I think he’s maturing as a footballer.
“He’s taken a bit of a lead role in our team. I’ve got nothing but praise for him; he’s working hard, added goals to his game and playing with supreme confidence and energy.
“He’s a focal point of our team at the moment.
“I also thought Daryl Murphy was excellent today. I thought his work-rate and industry – both on and off the ball – was superb.”
This is the first time Town have won four games in a row since October 2004. This latest victory – their fifth from their last six games against Cardiff – lifts them up to 16th in the Championship table and 11 points off of the play-off places.
It was also the first time Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay had suffered defeat against Ipswich in 14 meetings as manager and player.
“It was a good result against one of the top teams,” said Jewell. “There was a 15/20 minute spell at the start of the game where we had to ride our luck a bit, but overall I think we were worthy winners.”
Responding to the ninth minute incident in which keeper Arran Lee-Barrett was only booked for fouling Joe Mason outside the area, Jewell said: “I’ve only seen it live but my initial reaction was ‘get your gear off Alex’ (referring to sub keeper McCarthy).
“The ball was going quite a bit wide though and the linesman had quite a good view on that side.
“Maybe we were a bit fortunate, but there have been plenty of times this season where we haven’t had the run of the green.
“We had to dig in for 20 minutes at the start, we were resolute, had a bit of good fortune, but once we scored you could see the confidence in the team.”
He continued: “You can see how hard we’re working. It’s starts at the front with Michael Chopra, Daryl Murphy and even Jay Emmanuel-Thomas!
“You can see that the crowd warm to that – it’s the least that they expect.
“We’re a difficult team to play against at the moment because we’re in peoples’ face and have got athleticism through the team.
“Since the West Ham win the confidence has been up, but I have to say I thought in the previous three games against Blackpool, Birmingham and Leeds we’d shown signs of turning the corner.”
The Championship’s leakiest defence has now kept back-to-back clean sheets, with Jewell saying: “Whatever back four has played this year has made basic individual errors and cost us goals. Some months ago I guess we would have conceded during that dodgy spell in the first half, but we’re now playing with confidence and belief and desire.
“The back four have been vilified at times this year, but you defend as a unit rather than as individuals.
“We’re defending and attacking as a team at the moment and look like a decent team.”
– See Monday’s EADT and Ipswich Star for more reaction.
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10 comments
Bluearmy78: I think that as the Town would have to go on such an incredible run to reach the playoffs that this, by itself, would make it deserving and I certainly would not be embarrassed.
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Chris Hampshire
Monday, February 20, 2012
Some praise has to go Paul Jewell's way as well. Through circumstance he's been forced to give the younger players their chance and he's had the courage to let them play in an attacking, fearless manner. He's let Lee Martin loose and he's taken the hint and gone wild. I do love, though, our own Little and Large - Carlos Edwards and Jay-Emmanuel Thomas who have started to work together brilliantly.
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tgtround
Monday, February 20, 2012
Excellent game and thoroughly deserved win. All talk of the play-offs though should cease. For me it would be embarrassing and totally undeserved to gate crash the play -offs after the season ITFC have had. I would much rather Jewell build a team of younger players around the "core" of Hyam, Smith, Carson, Creswell, JET and Martin. Contracts need to be sorted though because we will get nowhere fast if each season is a rebuilding job - as proved again this time around.
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bluearmy78
Monday, February 20, 2012
Think that we've probably left it too late for the play-offs, though it is not impossible if we were to continue this run. Of more importance will be the reaction when we next lose, and how the team bounces back. Football is hugely about confidence, and this team currently has that in bucket loads. We've got to keep focussed, keep behind the team, be patient if the run comes to an end, and then build for a real push next season around a core of Hyam, Smith, Carson, Creswell, Chops, JET and Martin. Still think that Leadbitter has a role to play.
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Tom
Sunday, February 19, 2012
I am not suprised paul jewell heaps praise on lee martin , his here, there and everywhere show on saturday was the best i have ever seen him perform in an ipswich shirt and totally unrecognisable from the player i saw a year ago.
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KEVIN FRANCIS
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Realistically a top six finish would mean an absolutely incredible run over the last 15 games, but this current team and formation certainly is making for some very encouraging and entrtaining football. Lee Martin is certainly a revelation at the moment where he seems to be everywhere and with Tommy Smith looking increasingly assured at the back we can hopefully look to build on this an continue into next season if Mr Clegg can get a couple of important contracts sorted out.
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Tim Bartlett
Sunday, February 19, 2012
So pleased that the confidence and spirit of the players is reaping results at long last! Well done PJ for sticking with these guys
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don wilson
Saturday, February 18, 2012
No point in saying how good individual players were because they were all outstanding. I prophesied 3-1 but I was a goal out!. Bring on Brighton!
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JOHN BURLS
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Well done lads another great win.
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brisie58
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Wow! A really enjoyable game, playing like a team and always looking like scoring. So pleased for ALB to keep another clean sheet. Martin's energy and enthusiasm was scintillating. A very clean game too. I loved it. COYB! Keep it up!
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peter sadler
Saturday, February 18, 2012