Six months is a hell of a long time in football.
It’s just past that half-a-calendar mark when the club captain and veteran of pushing 200 first-team appearances was proudly holding the Play-Off Final trophy to the heavens as 40-odd thousand jubilant Canaries celebrated in a Wembley wonderland.
Fast forward to Monday night – a wet and windy Carrow Road with about 1,000 brave souls watching Russ run out for the Under-21s against their Southampton counterparts:
10 mins: A young lad in red and white runs by Martin with ease to notch the opening goal of the night.
The rest of the game turned out a whole load better for the yellow and greens courtesy of a stellar performance from Jamar Loza.
But a penny for the thoughts of the man who just a few weeks back was hailed as the hero of Anfield for racing up to Merseyside after the birth of his son to skipper his side to a point and score the equalising goal to boot.
It was a goal which, at that moment, made him the club’s top scorer! Days don’t come much better than that one for a professional footballer or, in fact, a human being in general.
But back to that Under-21s outing. His appearance was perfectly understandable if he was returning from an injury lay-off perhaps? But of course, that wasn’t the reason.
Russ was suspended from the Swansea match after the last ditch ‘take it for the team, maybe Toure will miss the penalty’ incident at the Etihad, then was curiously missing altogether from the squad at Chelsea.
And on Sunday he was an unused sub against Arsenal, watching on as his replacement Ryan Bennett puts in a near faultless performance with the added bonus of him incurring the Twitter wrath of a certain disgraced former newspaper editor, turned genial breakfast TV host.
Suddenly, ironically just as ‘outcast’ Lewis Grabban finds himself back in favour, Russell Martin finds himself out in the cold a tad.
Of course, that can change in a second with – perish the thought – an injury or suspension to a Bennett, Bassong or a Wisdom. But as things stand, the club captain finds himself in a sticky place.
As the Grabban saga has shown, Alex Neil is not one to hold a grudge.
Martin hasn’t done a whole load wrong apart from the odd blooper which managed to incur the wrath of a section of supporters who seem to have borne a long standing grudge of their own.
[Note: I can feel the ground shake as my phrase, “the odd blooper” sinks in to anyone not persuaded of Martin’s fine character and leadership skills on the pitch as I am.]
While everyone can be forgiven the odd slip, the captain will naturally come under a harsher spotlight.
And he’s not alone – in fact, he’s in damn good Kompany. The likes of Vincent Kompany and John Terry have both, this season, struggled with form, been dropped to the bench and received fans’ criticism.
On the ‘Toon, the pressures of leadership and captaincy on Fabricio Coloccini are increasingly taking their toll on his demeanour and performances.
And at Swansea, after a great start to the season and universal praise, suddenly Ashley Williams is looking a pale shadow of his former self.
Equally, certain players have struggled to make a mark under Alex Neil – Kyle Lafferty most notably. However, the word seems to be that his exclusion is purely down to not having the right qualities that the boss is looking for.
Martin seems to be a victim of timing, circumstance and most notably, Neil’s change in direction away from the early season bravado on display up to the Newcastle debacle and that turgid home loss to West Brom.
For the past few games, we’ve looked a much tighter unit as he tinkers to suit and is happy to give up possession in compensation for a solid defence and swift counter-attack policy.
It’s mighty harsh to say that if Martin had been next to Bassong for those games, we would have been weaker. But that’s what some are saying.
I’m not one of the boo boys willing to take a pop at him at every turn. Someone who has turned out for my team as often as he has deserves much more respect than that.
Six months ago, it would have been unthinkable that Martin would be consigned to the sidelines, away from the action, playing second fiddle to another.
But if that continues for the rest of the season, are his days in Norfolk now numbered? An imminent exit unthinkable for someone who has given his all for the club in three divisions?
With the January transfer window just round the corner, and new defensive faces likely to come into the squad, Martin will have his work cut out.
Yet I’m sure he still has the full confidence of his boss. It’s only a matter of time before he reclaims his first team position isn’t it?
Then again, that was what everyone thought about Bradley Johnson.
The thing with Johnson is that there were myriad midfield options to choose from at the start of this season. In defence that’s not the case. A player who can play comfortably at centre-half or right-back will remain highly valued whether he’s playing regularly or not. Wasn’t his absence from the Chelsea squad due to a ‘personal issue’?
It’s an odd situation. AN had to play Ryan Bennett for two games and he’s looked good so he’s stuck with him. It must be a bit galling for Russell M to be out of the first team in such a short period of time. On the plus side, Bennett getting game time is a good thing. He could develop into a decent player.
Similar questions could be asked about the fate of Steven Whittaker. At Wembley he played the pass for Redmond’s goal and had a good game. In the Man City match last month he was overlooked for the right-hand side of a back five with Robbie Brady, a left-sided player, getting the nod instead. For a right-back who likes to get forward and probably considers that the stronger part of his game, that must’ve felt like a slap in the face.
I, for one, hope he gets back in soon. Watching us on Sunday, it just didn’t feel right that he wasn’t involved. It didn’t feel like a Norwich team. Having said that, I felt the same when Holty left and I eventually got over that.
I would prefer him to Wisdom.
As for Lafferty, people should really get used to the fact that he is never going to play for us while AN is in charge. He will be off in January anyway, probably to a Championship Club, which is where his level is.
I think the recent change in style would help Martin’s game to be honest.
He lacks the pace required to play a high line like we did early season, sitting back and giving up possession would make him look better i feel.
I think Bassong also looks jittery at the moment and I would like to see two first team center backs drafted in come January.
Rich
There was a fair amount of shock when Martin made the team of the year, seeing him on the sidelines is far from a shock. If it wasn’t for injuries Bennett would have played far more last season as he was our best defender before Bassong came back.
Changing to a centre back has hurt him. He doesn’t read the game well enough to compensate for being weak in the air nor is quick enough when players run at him. He appears to be a shadow of the right back he was. Maybe the captains arm band got to him, but it certainly kept him in the team longer than his performances deserved.
His goal scoring is still lower than the goals he’s cost the team. It was the same last season and even preseason. The Brentford goal was all down to him and most of the Newcastle goals too.
Both Bennett and wisdom look better in the air and with the ball at their feet and at the moment better players. Yes we still need to respect players for what they’ve done but we can’t hold on to the past if they’re not performing
The Russell Martin debate will go on and on.
A fantastic ambassador for our football club. He always speaks articulately and , without doubt , has NCFC etched on his heart.
You cant talk highly enough of this player and he always gives everything for City.
The but is about too arrive!!!!
Unfortunately does he have Premier League class ?
The answer sadly is NO.
I’ve stood in the Barclay End watching Russ get pulled around , out jumped on crosses and out paced by Premier League strikers and even a few Championship ones. ( Patrick Bamford at Carrow Road ) not at Wembley – injured.
You want him to succeed due to the fact he is such a nice human being but the harsh reality is the Premier League is too bigger step for Russ.
Fingers crossed though he can find Huckerby after burners too help him deal with the electrifying pace offered up by the Premier League.
Ben, Derek and Rich – good points from you on the subject raised.
Transfer window – if Martin hasn’t managed to reclaim his place either at CB or RB by the turn of the year, then with new (hopefully experienced) defenders top of the shopping list most likely, his task will become even harder. No one is indispensible but it would be a sad way to end his time here if he falls further down the pecking order.
He has the advantage of versatility and I would like to see him fight his way back.
I also think that had AN switched his philosophy earlier, Martin would still be in the side.
Respect to Bennett and Wisdom for taking their chances so well but how long before one or both become targeted for similar barracking as Martin and Whittaker? It’s a depressing facet of the past 3-4 years.
Whittaker could take up his own piece on here. He has plenty of detractors with short memories of his contribution to the club.
Lafferty will surely move on in the next 6-12 months. When he was playing under Adams, he came in for flack for his discipline on the field (and lack of goals). I don’t see much has changed despite his heroics for his country.
This is how squads operate, a player is out for either injury or suspension and someone in the squad takes his place in the team. If as in this case, the player brought in is doing a great job, then it’s harder for Russ to get back in. That has to be a good thing for the squad. Also in the case of Russ the reason he has been out was for suspension and then personal reasons, we don’t know what they are so we need to whatch and wait.
James/Karl/Graham – again, good points well made (even if I don’t agree with some of them!).
I get the squad thing of course but it feels different for Martin as he’s El Capitano and one of our longest serving. I’m sure he’ll be breaking his proverbials to get back and if AN picks him,
I hope that’s a decision which isn’t met with more ridicule and abuse when he’s on the pitch.
Is he good enough at the top level? Lambert, Hughton and Neil all seemed to think so.
Hang on a minute. Bennett has made all kinds of mistakes that we seem prepared to forgive him for – the kind of mistakes that Martin would be chastised for.
One good game against a powder puff Arsenal doesn’t make him the answer.
Martin bossed Bamford at Wembley – injured or not, Martin clearly learned from his pasting at home to Boro earlier. That’s the mark of a decent player – ok, he might not be Gerard Pique but he clearly learns.
He’s not a centre back as yet because he’s not good enough in the air, and he’s been found out too often there. Neither is he beefy enough to cope with Premier League strikers. Otherwise his ability is as good as anyone else’s at the club in that position. Are we supposed to give Martin – barely two years as a centre back – no time to develop, yet allow Bennett – many more years as a centre back – all the time he needs?
I am of the mindset, like others, that, whilst Russ is a great ambassador for the club and a decent bloke, I just don’t think that he is good enough for this level. I personally see him as a good Championship defender, who is currently useful to have in and around the squad as a versatile option.
As mentioned above, eyebrows were raised when he got in the team of the year last season and there have been question marks over his – as well as other player’s – performances this season.
Most fans don’t mean (or want) to criticise players and have been fully supportive of Martin over the years – memories of the Norfolk Cafu bombing up to overlap the winger during the Lambert years led fans to build a bond with him – Wembley even more so. However I just don’t think he has the attributes to start week-in, week-out in a Premiership defence – especially at centre back.
Of course, tactics have changed since his absence however the back four has looked much more solid – even against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal – where Ryan Bennett, Andre Wisdom and Martin Olsson are impressing – getting sharper and more confident every game.
After a disappointing summer transfer window, the defence is still an area that requires improvement in quality and depth – particularly at right back and centre back.
I think January will be an interesting month for NCFC.
OTBC
Thanks for raising the Russ M question.
R M has been my favourite player for sometime now, heart on his sleeve and prepared to give every effort for the cause. Russ will turn 30 in January he’s been with us 7 seasons some of the most incredible seasons in our history. He’s captained the side, scored goals, blocked countless shots and given everything for the side. He has 20plus international caps and has played in the Premier League and captained us at Wembley in the biggest club game possible. He came from Peterborough and Wycombe W before that. I can only imagine that Russell Martin is very pleased he joined us and probably pinches himself when he looks at his achievements.
He should be retained and his example , experience and know how used to inspire younger players. R M remains a very good player and leader and in my opinion no one person over the past 7 seasons has done more to bring the success we’ve all enjoyed. However, AN must pick the best team and RM will respect that. If he does go to play regularly elsewhere I hope he ruturns one day in some capacity – Legend.
I’m not convinced AN has found a new defence – minus Russell M – that he’ll now stick with. Over the last month he’s shown the clearest indication that he’ll choose a team for the particular game ahead.
Jerome and Mbokani have not been ditched for Grabban – the latter was simply his choice to face Arsenal. Similarly, Wisdom started the last two games for the particular qualities needed against those opponents.
I bet we see Russ back before too long.