MARTIN’S TALISMAN ROLE AT NORWICH
RUSSELL MARTIN’S influence at the back has been a key factor in Norwich’s about turn in form, says boss Alex Neil.
After a pre-season plagued by back problems, 30-year-old centre-back Martin appeared only once in the opening matches of this campaign.
But, since the international break and ahead of this weekend, Martin had started every one of Norwich’s three wins on the bounce.
And Neil insists his value to the team is worth so much more than just clean sheets.
“I think one of Russell’s biggest strengths– and it’s quite unique nowadays – is that he affects other players. Bback in the day it used to be quite common,” Neil said of his skipper.
“The people around him, his right-back, his left centre-back, his guys in front of him, he’s got a real determination to be successful and to win.
“I think you need that in your group because it’s all fine and well nowadays, as a player, to take care of that wee square bit you play in, but if you can have an influence on people around you it can be as much of a strength as anything else.”