Championship FTBpro PFA Fan Player Of The Year Contender: Chris Martin - Derby County

23 May 2014 10:26
Martin underlined his importance to a Rams’ side pushing for promotion under Steve McClaren in the 2-1 win at Brighton in the first leg of the play-off semi final. The former Norwich player has been the focal point of a Derby attack with the best goalscoring record in the division and he has grown in stature and confidence as a successful season has unfolded.

Martin has contributed 25 goals in total this season, and is seen as the main threat by Saturday’s play-off final opponents QPR.

Veteran defender Richard Dunne knows he is in for a tough afternoon, and says of Martin: “He’s had a great season. He is a very important player for Derby. He holds the ball up and he’s physically very strong.

“They break quickly and for them to do that, they rely on Martin’s hold-up play. We know what to expect of him but stopping him is an altogether different matter. Hopefully, on Saturday we can keep him quiet and he will have an off day.”

Martin previously helped Norwich into the top flight but rarely figured during his first Premiership adventure and is determined to make up for lost time. Having been called up to the Scotland squad in the last week he’s also hoping to put an international cap on his ever-expanding CV.

Scotland take on Nigeria in a friendly only four days after Derby’s date at Wembley, and Martin says: “I can’t predict the future but hopefully those few days will be the biggest moments of my career. If I go to the Scotland squad with one of the biggest smiles on my face I’ve done the right thing on Saturday.”

Voting is now open for the Championship FTBpro PFA Fans' Player of the Year award and fans can cast their votes at http://www.football.co.uk/pfa-fans-player-of-the-month/index.shtml

Source: DSG