Others have pointed out that Martin has been unfairly singled out, an escape goat

But even if the mistakes were not of his own making he was certainly not the one you'd pick out for having taken the responsibility himself or for having played a captains's performance. In fact, the regular outbursts about his team mates and the almost unotouchable status he himself seemed to enjoy within the club can't have been to everyon's liking.

It might be a bit unfair to put the change in fortunes down solely to his absence, but the reappearance of leadership (individually and collectively) and players putting their bodies on the line does make the case for Martin's weaknesses being about much more than his individual errors.

Posted By: Chalk Hill Bitter, Sep 18, 09:02:07