Are City Russelling up a solid defence?

The last couple of games have shown up something we`re not too used to seeing. Luckily, this international break means I can bring it up without jinxing it, too.

Our defence looks, wait for it, solid. The introduction of Martin to the middle has done wonders. Who would have thunked it.

Martin, Mr Reliable last season, saw his place taken away by the dependable and rapid Kyle Naughton who has since made himself a tad immovable. This has some benefits for you if you sit behind the goal too, you`ll have less wayward crosses to duck from while telling yourself this is going to be his good`un. But with RMart now at centre-back, we`ve found ourselves a striding-out-from-the-back centre-half. Case in point being the second against Sunderland.

It`s another notch for Lambert, Ayala came in and crocked out, and most of us pointed toward the rapidly-closing transfer window again. Sir Paul was unmoved. Then we hit another injury and scores pointed back, cursing the transfer door and its confiscated key.

In comes RMart and we`ve rarely been more stable. There may well have been a touch of luck on Lambert`s part, but he clearly had faith in the Essex-Scot. And how he`s been rewarded.

Granted, Saturday saw a defensive nap lead to a goal but the second was when we had gone to three up top. I'd much rather lose 2-0 going for it than 1-0 after shutting up shop, taking the defeat. But I digress.

Somehow, the presence of Martin has channeled the concentration of Barnett. He`s looked on the ball, heck he`s even been looking at the ball. He seems less clumsy and much more assured.

Something`s clicked back there and brought a question with it. When we get an actual centre-half back from the medical room, does RMart have to drop out?

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