Is this Derby County striker the man to light up the iPro Stadium?

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For many years; as with most teams, Derby County have scoured the football world for a striker that can get the solid 20 goals a season that top teams crave for. Every so often, the Rams find a man who can attain the 15+ mark and be a danger to opposing defences, with names like Rob Hulse and Steve Howard springing to mind. However, these are usually in their prime at the Rams for just one season or play in such a poor team that their stay at Derby is short-lived at best, as better teams pick them off with relative ease. Despite this, occasionally a diamond is found amongst the rough, a shining light in a world of one season wonders and ‘don’t-believe-the-hype’ disappointments.

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Derby’s gem is one Christopher Hugh Martin. Beginning his career at boyhood club Norwich City, Martin has often found himself victim of the loan system, moving from pillar to post, struggling to settle and periodically having a prolific season – including 23 goals for Norwich in their League 1 promotion season. It was this period of upheaval that led to his move to the East Midlands, signing for the Rams initially on loan towards the end of the 2012/2013 season. His record of two goals in 13 appearances is hardly blistering (though he did have two goals wrongly ruled out for offside in two games vs Cardiff and Ipswich) but the club; then managed by Nigel Clough, opted to sign the Beccles born Scot on a free transfer after his contract from Norwich expired, ending his 15 year stay at Carrow Road. Despite being scoffed as a needless transfer at the time by fans, it turned out to be a master-stroke by Clough, with Martin hammering in 25 goals in all competitions during his first season with the Rams, followed by 21 the following season and 14 up to the point of publication this campaign.

Understandably, Martin has become a fan favourite at Derby, with many putting him as the first name on the team sheet each week. His popularity comes largely from his ability to do the nasty work, scoring scrappy goals with natural poachers instinct, whilst also being able to fairly regularly pull off something fantastic. Both goals against Preston North End in September 2015 are a prime example of that. The sheer ability to be such a crucial match-winner so often is something that is rarely seen in a Championship striker that was brought into a club with no transfer fee attached at all, particularly one that is only just entering the prime of his career. He’s hardly having one last hurrah with any club that is prepared to pay his wages, and has recently began forcing himself into the Scotland squad, scoring his first goal in a 6-0 win vs Gibraltar in 2015. Add his 60 goals in all competitions for Derby to his undeniable passion for the club and you have the makings of a true Derby legend, assuming his form continues and the club continue to use him as the main attacking outlet for any team being built.

However, it is not simply his goals that make Martin so crucial to the Rams play. Martin possesses a pivotal position on the pitch, holding together the Rams attack and letting all play go through him. When the midfield supports Martin properly, Derby are almost unstoppable against most defences, with Martin equally as able to create a goalscoring opportunity for somebody else as he is likely to score himself, lending another side to his play that defenders will have to adapt to play against. Some defenders manage to contain Martin, with Matt Mills of local rivals Nottingham Forest seemingly stopping him during every match, regardless of the outcome. Even during Derby’s 5-0 demolition of their local rivals, Martin could not get a goal then, with his goal drought against Forest continuing even to this day! However, few would complain about this record when looking at just how important many of Martin’s goals have been for the Rams. A quick look at his performance over both legs vs Brighton in 2014 play-offs is a superb indicator of his ability to turn up for the big matches when it really matters, a trait many quality players seem to lack.

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A classic case of ‘kids who want to be strikers should watch him’, Martin is a throwback to days gone by, despite his sometimes annoying ability to look for a foul when it is easier to stay upright, cementing himself as a true centre forward with a superb footballing mind that can be a true match-winner when on form. Rarely will Martin miss a glaring opportunity when it is easier to score. Obviously there is the odd one here and there, but his consistency and natural eye for goal is a joy to behold for those that follow the fabled black and white of Derby County. There is no doubt in my mind that Martin can become a true great for the Rams, the type that leads fans of an earlier generation to recall in tales to their grandchildren in decades to come.

Does Chris Martin have it in him to become a true great at Derby? Can his goals fire the Rams to promotion – be it automatic or through the play-offs – this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Martin Hughes