Cobblers boss Wilder says there is more to come from loan man Martin

Martin arrived at Sixfields with a big reputation having started his career at Manchester United and been a regular in the Championship last season, but despite impressing in flashes, he’s struggled for consistency with the 29-year-old an unused substitute for last Tuesday’s draw against AFC Wimbledon.

However, after a private meeting with Wilder, Martin was back in the starting XI for Saturday’s trip to play-off chasing Carlisle.

The chat seemed to have worked too as the on-loan Millwall man produced his best performance in a Cobblers shirt, the highlight of which was a pinpoint cross for John Marquis’ opener.

“I think there’s more to come from Lee,” said Wilder after Saturday’s 4-1 win.

“We had quite a serious talk leading up to the game because I think given where he’s played and the standard he’s played at and what we can do, he should be effecting the game a little bit more than what he has done.

“That’s not to say he’s been a failure, because he hasn’t, and he’s played a part in all those results over the past month and since he’s been here.

“But we just needed a little bit more out of him and I thought we got that on Saturday. He set the first goal up and was a constant threat.”

Martin said the meeting was ‘beneficial’ for both parties, although the Millwall man was keen to state his desire to play as many games as possible having made just four starts this season prior to the move to Sixfields.

“We had a brief chat,” said Martin. “It was about producing for a player of my calibre having played at a high level.

“He felt I should be doing a bit more which I took on board, and I also had my opinions on certain things because it’s difficult not playing.

“But it was a good chat and I just voiced that I wanted to play more football because I haven’t played that many games.

“I’ve only made 10 starts all season so it’s been a difficult one so that was the be-all and end-all of that chat.”