Martin: MK Dons loan toughened me up
JOSH Martin says his difficult loan at tomorrow’s visitors MK Dons ‘toughened him up’ and is helping him in his current loan spell with Barnsley.
The 21-year-old forward spent the first half of last season on loan at MK Dons from Norwich City but never started a league match, coming off the bench five times before being moved on to Doncaster Rovers in January.
Martin told the Chronicle: “It definitely toughened me up.
“It wasn’t an easy period but I have turned all the negatives into positives.
“I learned a lot and it’s made me grow a lot as a person.
“Negativity doesn’t hurt me so much any more.”
Martin joined the Reds at the end of the summer transfer window on a season-long loan with a buy deal agreed.
He has started just two league games and come off the bench in seven others. “This time is different with Barnsley. “I know what I need to do.
“I started two games then the formation has changed which makes it slightly more difficult for me.
“But I am trying to adapt my game to suit the style.
“In a 3-5-2, I would either play as a forward or as an number eight attacking midfielder.”
Martin netted twice in an EFL Trophy win at former club Doncaster last month then came off the bench to score in a 2-0 league win over Forest Green Rovers in the most recent home match.
“It was nice to get the first two goals in the cup which was a confidence-booster then the first league goal was lovely.
“Scoring gives me confidence and helps me to believe I can help the team, whether that is starting or off the bench.
“The manager (Michael Duff) can rely on me for goals and assists which is what I am here to do.”
Barnsley’s first team players and staff received CPR training from Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service this week.
The session was attended by
Steve Croft, the Oakwell volunteer who was rescued by the air ambulance in 2018 after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch. He now works part-time with the air ambulance on patient transport.
Croft said: “The players really embraced it and all had a go on the manikins and defibs. It gave them an awareness and familiarity with what they need to do in an emergency. It can happen to anyone at any time and the more people who are trained, the better. I was there as living proof that
CPR works. I think it’s brilliant.” 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
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