No time for over reaction but...

[KingCharlieGeorge]

Are the rumours about Martin's return anything to do with it or is that just coincidence?

Have to say I'm disappointed with that comment. Normally you are one of the more reasoned posters and don't stoop to "over reaction"!

We're minus our preferred full backs, had Hughes out and a player wrongly (?) sent off when 1-0 down.

We need more goal threat from our team. Bent at his age should be our super sub and not our first choice striker; and we need a goal scoring midfield player. Martin is old news and we should move on.

[ramAnag]

Have to say I'm disappointed with that comment. Normally you are one of the more reasoned posters and don't stoop to "over reaction"!

We're minus our preferred full backs, had Hughes out and a player wrongly (?) sent off when 1-0 down.

We need more goal threat from our team. Bent at his age should be our super sub and not our first choice striker; and we need a goal scoring midfield player. Martin is old news and we should move on.

Fair enough and thanks for the back handed compliment.

To be absolutely clear...there are those on here who know more than me who have described Martin as being a bad influence in the dressing room. I don't know whether that is true or not although, however good he is, there have been many times when his attitude and body language have infuriated me.

I am not blaming today's defeat on Martin, that would be ridiculous, however I am singularly unimpressed by what we understand of his attitude towards Fulham and I simply wonder whether the apparent deterioration in certain players' attitudes since mention was made of Martin's possible return is entirely coincidental.

Injuries, suspensions and general disquiet over the 'window' possibilities are, I fully accept, other likely factors in the last two disappointments but we are not alone in having to deal with them. Agree completely with your other comments although it seems unlikely that circumstances will allow 'moving on' from Martin just yet.

[Fishing Rod]

Easy folks - long time reader, first time responder!

To suggest our recent failings relate to Chris Martin is interesting to say the least! Aren't footballers continually surrounded by speculation? Could it just be that Tom Ince's incredible goal scoring run masked the lack of goals from elsewhere and now he's stopped scoring, the lack of goals from others is causing us to be more reliant on our defence?

We've just scored one goal (from a penalty) in our last three? Do we need a goal scorer to help Ince?

[ramAnag]

Welcome Fishing Rod...as many have said, we certainly need a reliable goal scorer along with, imo, a leader - hopefully one who can chip in from midfield with a goal or two - and of course now, a left back who can manage to stay injury free. Feel really sorry for Anya and Lowe...both look like real players but both seem horribly fragile.

[triz]

As I said last week (and was told I was being too harsh) ince has 10-15 good games a season. I'd take Martin over ince any day of the week especially if he can't play well if another certain player is on the team. Don't get me wrong I like once but Martin is class.

[swaledale]

Maybe the McClaren bubble has burst and the team are settling back to their level, mystified by the lack of rotation over the festive period, Norwich had 5 new players in today and yes they have a bigger squad with more quality players but even with 11 men they would have beaten us.

I do not think we will make the play offs this season tbh.

[triz]

We desperately need a goal scorer, be it Martin or someone else.

[AdiSalisbury]

Easy folks - long time reader, first time responder!

To suggest our recent failings relate to Chris Martin is interesting to say the least! Aren't footballers continually surrounded by speculation? Could it just be that Tom Ince's incredible goal scoring run masked the lack of goals from elsewhere and now he's stopped scoring, the lack of goals from others is causing us to be more reliant on our defence?

We've just scored one goal (from a penalty) in our last three? Do we need a goal scorer to help Ince?

Welcome! Please post more!

Agree we need a goal scorer who can play 90 minutes (sorry Benty), Ince looks unplayable, but only in short bursts. Unfortunately, Vydra doesn't seem to be the answer either.

I'm hoping Mac can find the right man (Martin or otherwise), even if it's a loan until the season ends.

[Fishing Rod]

Thanks for the welcome - it is a little nerve wracking viewing from afar and seeing the abuse some people get, but I'm happy to throw my thoughts in from time to time.

We need a goal scorer to take some of the opposition defence away from Ince and also to help our midfield by making themselves available. The likes of Bryson, Butterfield, Hughes and Johnson receive the ball and see everyone heading away from them. This doesn't allow them to catch up with the play and overload the opposition as we did a few years ago. This is making our midfield look pedestrian at best.

[mistaram]

FishingRod Welcome to this friendly site don't take it. personally if you get abuse Your certainly right about a goalscorer Vydra can't play up on his own but unless we change the way we play ( unlikely) then he's surplus pity because he's a good player You are right about the midfield it's not working as did a couple of years ago Mainly because no Thorne Johnson has done really well lately probably our best player since October If we get the right striker in I think we will go on another run Just hope its not Rhodes