We don’t want to hold your hand – Grant

DAVID CUFFLEY

Man of the moment Chris Martin does not need Dion Dublin to hold his hand in the Norwich City attack.

That was the verdict from manager Peter Grant yesterday when asked whether playing Dublin alongside the 18-year-old would be the perfect combination in attack.

Said Grant: “I think the boy's proved it doesn't matter if it's Dion Dublin, Darren Huckerby or whoever. I think the young man can play with different strikers. He can play up there on his own, he can play with one, or with two. Chris and Hucks on Saturday were excellent.

“It doesn't matter. He's not played with Dion yet and he's scored five in seven. He doesn't need it.”

Grant paid tribute to Martin's ability to learn quickly and take instructions on board.

He said: “The one thing I said to him about Darren Moore of Derby was don't play against Darren because he's a very strong boy. We always tell them don't make it easy for defenders and don't play next to them. Make them think. You've got to think that way all the time, you've got to think like a footballer. He's intelligent enough to do that.

“The good thing about the kid is he takes things on board. You don't need to go over it three, four, five times. You can tell him once or twice and he understands what you're talking about, and that shows good intelligence and good maturity for a young man.

“He's a strong boy but he's physically strong and the most important thing is he's mentally strong. I've seen big guys being as weak as water and I've seen small guys who pack a punch. Chris is a strapping boy.”

Grant also said his defenders were not to blame for some of City's recent defeats.

He said: “The two centre-backs have been brilliant. The back four, not a problem. You can see where we're conceding goals from - at Preston, from 30 yards out. We got shots against us at Luton last week, one against the bar, one where Gallacher made a fantastic save. That tells you we're backing off.”