Opinions

David Martin undersells himself

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OPINION

West Ham goalkeeper David Martin was asked about his chances at the club with No.1 shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski out injured and didn’t exactly inspire the masses.

The 33-year-old shot-stopper seemed to first respond by underselling himself, as he pointed out his lack of Premier League experience, but then admitted he knew what he signed up for, so he was just enjoying the experience.

Martin then seemed to be aware of how downbeat his remarks sounded and tried to sound more positive by saying you “never know” in football.

“Obviously in my career, I played a little bit level down, but I have played in a lot of games so for me, I’m enjoying the experience of being here,” said Martin on Sky Sports News (7:48am, Thursday, November 7th).

“I knew what I was signing up for, but you never know what happens in football.

“I go in every day and I give as good as I get, so who knows where it will take ya.”

Martin clearly was aware that he wouldn’t get much of a look in upon joining the club in the summer with Fabianski having made the No.1 jersey his own last season, but given he arrived at the London Stadium the same time as Roberto, you’d think he’d be a bit more confident about his chances.

After all with Fabianski injured, youngster Nathan Trott out on loan, the only person standing in his way for the No.1 jersey currently is Roberto and he didn’t have any Premier League experience either before this season.

In fact, you’d argue the 6ft 2in tall Englishman, as per Transfermarkt, had more experience when it came to potentially playing in the Premier League in a weird way, after having previously been around the division, while not featuring, when at Liverpool.

Also surely Martin building up a reputation in England’s Championship and League One, suggests that he knows what it is expected of him in the Premier League as while those two divisions are below the Premier League, level-wise, as at least he is tried and tested in English football.

It’s also not like his success is years behind him either as it was only last season when Martin racked up four clean sheets in 10 Championship outings for Millwall, while only conceding nine goals.

It’s also worth noting that Roberto isn’t exactly looking comfortable in the Premier League thus far.

The Spaniard has failed to keep a clean sheet in his first five league outings and has watched the ball hit the back of the net nine times, while stood between the sticks.

So why isn’t Martin bigging himself up as all his remarks do is make it look like he believes he has no chance of getting game time and that he won’t ever actually make an appearance for the club.

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