He’s been part of a Holland squad that finished third in the 2014 World Cup. He’s played for Ronald Koeman, Louis van Gaal, Guus Hiddink, and Danny Blind, so away to Barnsley is not the stuff of his dreams.
Martins Indi said towards the end of Stoke’s first failed attempt to get out of the Championship that he would be looking to get back into the Premier League, whether that was with the Potters or not.
On the Friday night two weeks ago when Stoke suffered the worst beating of Michael O’Neill’s, below, three-month reign, 4-0 at Derby, it was the last day of the January transfer window and Martins Indi expected to be leaving.
There was interest from Premier League clubs, there was interest from abroad and Martins Indi did not play for Stoke that night. Bit of packing to do.
But it didn’t happen. Martins Indi is still at Stoke, still fighting relegation, still a player better than his current job and defying anyone, with that self-confidence that the Dutch have, to say, to his face, that he won’t be doing his best.
Stoke’s public are still sceptical but in his first game since that aborted move, Martins Indi was a powerful defensive influence in their 3-1 win over Charlton last Saturday, making it a successful 28th birthday in the process.
The Potters failed to follow that up and were beaten at home in midweek by Preston. A relegation battle is likely to blight Stoke for the rest of what is a difficult season, both for club and Martins Indi.
He was said to be ‘ill’ prior to the Derby defeat but it is thought he was upset at a move not going through at the last minute.
Chris Brunt was also left fed-up at West Brom because his loan switch to Stoke was called off because Martins Indi was still going to be on the wage bill and the Potters hadn’t got the money for the both of them.
Denne historien er fra February 16, 2020-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 16, 2020-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
NUNEZ SPARKS ROUT OF IN-FORM TIGERS
NORWICH City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup was delighted with his side’s performance as they made it four wins in six games to maintain their climb up the table after a slow start.
SHAUN RUES SOFT LATICS' BORE DRAW
WIGAN manager Shaun Maloney had mixed emotions after his side drew at Stockport to make it six games unbeaten.
Bielik's words are own goal for Blues
IN MY early days at Brighton, we won back-to-back promotions and were practically unstoppable.
CLAIMS OF RACISM TO ASSISTANT MAR DRAW
PORTSMOUTH boss John Mousinho apologised to assistant referee Bhupinder Singh Gill for alleged discriminatory comments made from the stands during the draw with Oxford United.
WILDER'S PUSH FOR BIRTHDAY BOY RAK-SAKYI IS PAYING OFF
Hatters in slump as loan star hits brace
ARGYLE STUN ROVERS AFTER WAYNE SEES RED
PLYMOUTH assistant head coach Pete Shuttleworth praised Argyle’s never say-die attitude as the greens secured a last-minute win over high-flying Blackburn.
Former teen star is now real deal
FAMOUSLY, Karamoko Dembele was just 13 when he made his debut for Celtic’s under-20 side in 2016.
DERBY DATE SO VITAL FOR OMER
Interim boss has chance to boost bid
LINDSEY LINK-UP LIFTS LAURENCE!
LAURENCE Maguire has been reunited with Scott Lindsey at MK Dons - and believes his old boss is the right man to propel them into the League Two promotion shake-up.
I WANT TO ADD MORE ELLIOT
NEW Crawley Town boss Rob Elliot has promised evolution not revolution after stepping into the huge shoes vacated by Scott Lindsey.
