Martin set for return?

Joe Martin, the 19-year-old Spurs midfielder who made his ‘Pool (and full league) debut against Watford on the final day of the season has stated his desire to come back to the Seaside on loan next season, should the opportunity arrive.

Realising that chances of first team football at Tottenham are likely to be very limited for him next season, the youngster has set his sights on learning his trade in The Championship next season, as opposed to reserve team football with the Premiership side.

On the last game of the season and the likelihood of a return for the 2008/2009 campaign, Martin said;

‘That last game against Watford was brilliant and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. To make your debut in a match like that, when there was a sell-out crowd and so much riding on the outcome, was terrific.’

‘The manager (Grayson) seemed pretty pleased with how I did and hopefully I can come back here next year and help the club stay up, if not better. It’s up to Tottenham whether I come back. They hold all the cards.’

‘But if there is a possibility of it happening then I would love to return to Blackpool.’

‘The Championship is a completely different kind of football to the reserve team football that I’d been used to at Tottenham. It’s a lot faster and I think I would learn a lot from playing this type of football on a regular basis so hopefully I can come back to Blackpool.’

Luckily for Martin, the ‘Pool fans would open him back with open arms.

Despite being sidelined with a groin injury after signing on loan, he certainly made an impression on the last day of the season – particularly when you think about what was at stake.

The youngster impressed in the left-wing position, while Wes Hoolahan filled in on the right hand side in the absence of Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Many are speculating already that, given Hoolahan’s alleged release clause in his contract, Martin is being lined-up as a replacement for the Irish winger for the coming season.

If that is the case, given what we saw in the game against Watford, one can’t see that many people opposing to the move and we may well see Joe Martin walk out onto the turf at Bloomfield Road next season, in place of Wes Hoolahan.