Norwich City right-back Russell Martin has been doing a sterling job playing as a centre-back for the club in recent games. It is a role that the defender will be expected to continue in when Norwich face Liverpool on Saturday. Zak Whitbread, Elliott Ward, and Daniel Ayala are all currently out injured, but they are fighting their way back to fitness.
Should Russell Martin keep his place when one of these players is fit to play? There are clearly two very strong arguments for and against this. Firstly, Russell Martin deserves the right to continue to play due to the performances he has put in, in the last few games.
However, the likes of Whitbread, Ward, and Ayala would argue that as recognised centre-backs a right-back should not be played ahead of them.
Overall though there has to be a bigger reason to drop Russell Martin than simply there is another player available. Russell Martin may not be a central defender by trade, but watching his performances this season you wouldn't really know that. On Saturday against Swansea, Martin put in a solid shift at the back and even managed to get himself on the score-sheet in Norwich's 3-1 win at Carrow Road.
Paul Lambert has been in the privileged position over the last few games of playing at the same starting –eleven. The Norwich City manager certainly would not want to disrupt his team’s rhythm by making unnecessary changes. The likes of Whitbread, Ward and, Ayala have to work hard in training and play well for the reserves. Then it is up to them to make an impact from the substitute’s bench when given the opportunity in the first-team.
The place at centre-back occupied by Russell Martin should be his to lose. As long as he continues to play well in that position then really he has nothing to worry about. He should be mindful of the fact though that a few costly errors cost Ritchie De Laet his place in the team. Martin therefore needs to ensure that his performances stay at the level they have been in the last few games. Lambert has already proved this season that he will make big decisions, if he feels they will benefit the team.
Few Norwich City supporters would have expected Grant Holt to be dropped from the first-team this season. However, it has quickly become apparent that no one's place is completely safe. This includes Russell Martin, so he must continue to play well to stay in the team.
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