City skipper issues response to heavy Brighton defeat
NORWICH City captain Russell Martin offered a frank appraisal of Saturday's 5-0 loss at Brighton, labelling it as 'embarrassing and humiliating'.Trailing 1-0 with the hour-mark approaching, the Canaries capitulated to concede a further four times in the final 30 minutes as they fell to a convincing defeat.
Speaking to Norwich City TV after the game, Martin said: "It's rubbish, the worst one yet.
"Too many lads gave up, it's as simple as that. We need to take an honest look at ourselves because we keep getting told we're Premier League players but that counts for nothing if you can't fight or win battles.
"We didn't win a battle all over the pitch. It's humiliating; if it doesn't hurt people enough then they need to take a look at themselves.
"It's embarrassing, if I'm being honest. That shouldn't happen at any level of professional football, especially with the players we've got.
"There's a way to lose and that's not it. It's not acceptable for us, for the fans who came down, for the club as a whole or for the players.
"There's a way to lose and that's not it. It's not acceptable for us, for the fans who came down, for the club as a whole or for the players.
"If you don't feel that way then you're in the wrong business."
Martin added that he takes the manner of how City were beaten personally, given his position as the team's skipper.
"I'm embarrassed to be standing here as captain of the Football Club," said the 30-year-old.
"We have to make sure now, and it's part of my role, that we get the lads ready to respond and bounce back. I've said a piece, the manager has said a piece; it's got to mean something.
"It's got to be acted upon, simple as that. The response we need now is on the football pitch. As professionals and as people, everyone has to come together.
"For those that don't, they won't be there to respond on Saturday."
Martin added that he takes the manner of how City were beaten personally, given his position as the team's skipper.
"I'm embarrassed to be standing here as captain of the Football Club," said the 30-year-old.
"We have to make sure now, and it's part of my role, that we get the lads ready to respond and bounce back. I've said a piece, the manager has said a piece; it's got to mean something.
"It's got to be acted upon, simple as that. The response we need now is on the football pitch. As professionals and as people, everyone has to come together.
"For those that don't, they won't be there to respond on Saturday."