Martin wants to play more games at centre-back for Cobblers

Defender Joe Martin is open to the idea of playing at centre-back on a more regular basis for the Cobblers following his impressive outing at Shrewsbury Town last Saturday.

Martin, formerly of Gillingham and Millwall, has spent most of his career at left-back or on the left side of midfield but his last three league starts for the Cobblers, going back to wins over Scunthorpe and Macclesfield in February, have all come at centre-back.

Those two appearances were on the left side of a back three but on Saturday he partnered Cian Bolger in a four-man defence.

"I've only played there a couple of times to be honest, not loads, but it is somewhere I am looking to play more over the next few years as I get a bit older," said Martin.

"Most of my games at full-back but I'm still quite comfortable left of the three or at centre-half in a two and I thought it went well. I had a Cian next to me and that was handy to have someone as experienced as him.

"I'd definitely like to play there more, either in that position or on the left of a three suits me. To be honest I'll play wherever I can because I haven't had loads of games over the past year so I'm happy to play anywhere."

Martin, now 31, was one of the elder statesman at the weekend as manager Keith Curle, handicapped by 11 injuries, picked a squad that included five academy players.

"First of all you have to do your own job but you can help players on the pitch by talking to them," Martin added. "Even the experienced boys who have come into the club, they might not know exactly how the gaffer wants to play so you have to try and push people about a little bit.

"I'm not one who's a big shouter or anything like that but I want to help as much as I can and try to calm things down in the changing room and stuff.

"Generally I thought it was a good, solid performance on Saturday and a big three points. It probably wasn't the prettiest performance but we changed the shape and I thought we adapted well to that and dug out a result."