FINALLY, Ipswich Town are playing like a team.

Lee Martin, whose dramatic return to form has mirrored the change of fortunes in the whole club, admitted that Town would “crumble” earlier in the season.

But now, buoyed by three wins on the spin, Town are playing with a team spirit and togetherness that was conspicuous by its absence during a bleak three months.

Livewire Martin, who delivered an electrifying display during Tuesday night’s 1-0 win at troubled Portsmouth, is a different player to the one who looked completely drained of all confidence just a few weeks ago.

“We are playing as a team. There is a great feeling of togetherness,” enthused Martin. “I thought we thoroughly deserved the win over Portsmouth.

“There is a real team spirit about us now. Normally, we would crumble after what has been happening this season.

“But now I think we are really improving, and we are really on the rise. The players have confidence and we all seem to be gelling.

“Now, whenever someone makes a mistake, someone is there to dig him out. That wasn’t happening earlier in the season.

“Beforehand, someone making a mistake always cost us. That’s what you need as a team, someone to get you out of bother every now and then.

“Once you get momentum, you start really enjoying your football, and that’s what we are doing,” added Martin.

Town are up to 17th spot, a healthy 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

Martin, though, is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, especially as Paul Jewell’s men are still a distant 14 points adrift of the play-offs.

“We just have to keep going.

“We must not get too carried away,” he warned.