Ipswich aiming to settle a score against Leicester City, says Lee Martin

Ipswich midfielder Lee Martin said the Tractor Boys were determined to make amends for their humiliation at the hands of Leicester City in November.

Manager Mick McCarthy had just taken over at Portman Road when they were soundly beaten 6-0 by Nigel Pearson's men at the King Power Stadium.

Martin said City would find Ipswich a totally different prospect now, and that today's return clash at Portman Road was a chance of redemption.

"It was early days for the manager, we were still 'milky', as he likes to say – which is a great phrase," said Martin.

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"It's a bad memory, but we've got the chance to put that right now.

"We are a lot more organised and better at the back. That's not something we've had for a long time, probably three years since the likes of (Gareth) McAuley was here.

"Taking everything into consideration, 32 points from the start of November (McCarthy's arrival) is a great return.

"We're happy with how well we've developed. We're looking at everything in a positive light."

Martin said the key for the Tractor Boys will be stopping City from getting into their stride, but added that Ipswich can take heart from a decent record against the top sides in the Championship.

While they have picked up just one win from 10 games against sides in the bottom seven, they have beaten Middlesbrough 4-0, Nottingham Forest 3-1 and Millwall 3-0 in recent months.

"Leicester are a good team," said Martin. "I know Ritchie De Laet and Matty James, quite a few of them from our time at Manchester United. I was a little bit older than them, though.

"I had the honour of working with the likes of Danny Drinkwater – they're talented lads.

"It's about stopping them playing first and, hopefully, then coming into it.

"We've found it harder against the teams down there because there's that extra bit of fight.

"Sometimes when we've played against the top teams there has been a little less pressure, they have relaxed a little bit more and we've been able to take advantage."