Chris Martin signs new contract until 2020

[Manofpride]

Chris Martin signs new contract for Rams until 2020, Looks like he's on his way back!

[StensonRam]

There must really be something about fulham that Martin doesn't like, looks like he's still desperate to get back here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...-derby-county/

[DCFCArmy]

That bloke is a disgrace and that's that

[Akwesasne]

Chris Martin signs new contract for Rams until 2020, Looks like he's on his way back!

Always beware of any player who signs a new contract for a long period. They are often a shadow of their former self content only that their financial future has been secured.

[Manofpride]

Always beware of any player who signs a new contract for a long period. They are often a shadow of their former self content only that their financial future has been secured.

I think the answer is why pay 10million on a striker when we have already got one. Personally I don't want him back, I think it would be best to move on, this is just more unrest for the player and club!

[StensonRam]

Fulham state they still have an option to buy, well of course they do that wouldn't change, the thing is they can't force Martin to sign a contract but if by some miracle he decides that maybe just maybe he wants to stay then having Martin under a 3 year contract means they'll need to dig a bit deeper into their pockets, as it stands right now he's scored 9 times in 20 games, he's was worth at least 10m to Fulham at the end of the season, good move to put him under a longer contract by derby. But putting Fulham aside for a minute if he finishes the season on 20 goals then we could enter into a bidding war with other clubs

Personally I don't want him back, cash in on him

[ramAnag]

I think the answer is why pay 10million on a striker when we have already got one. Personally I don't want him back, I think it would be best to move on, this is just more unrest for the player and club!

This is strange. We're offering a contract - presumably for more than the alleged £30k per week he's already on - for three years to a player who may or may not be ours by the beginning of next season. Martin wants to come back because he wants to link up with McClaren again/is happy and settled in Derby. Make of that what you will...supposing, just supposing, McClaren isn't here in a year or so...what then? At his best Martin is a great player. At his worst...a liability. This seems like a big risk to me. Explanations?

[Rob_the_Ram]

Fulham state they still have an option to buy, well of course they do that wouldn't change, the thing is they can't force Martin to sign a contract but if by some miracle he decides that maybe just maybe he wants to stay then having Martin under a 3 year contract means they'll need to dig a bit deeper into their pockets, as it stands right now he's scored 9 times in 20 games, he's was worth at least 10m to Fulham at the end of the season, good move to put him under a longer contract by derby. But putting Fulham aside for a minute if he finishes the season on 20 goals then we could enter into a bidding war with other clubs

Personally I don't want him back, cash in on him

I really believe we are really missing having a Chris Martin type player in our set up - something Benty or Vidra patently isn't! I'm not saying it must BE Chris Martin, just that what we currently have makes our 4-3-3 less potent.
With Martin as the focal point, Bryson and Hendrick had the confidence to go beyond the forward line knowing even if not played in, the ball would be retained and they wouldn't be out of position when lost.
To me, we are now playing 4-3-3 but to a level of the Plan B we were crying out for when our stock setup wasn't working.
Isn't it great to have actually used plan B for nearly half a season knowing it's strengths and limitations but have it for plan B only.
If we feel that a Martin type centre forward would improve us, why would we not want him back? He is proven, appears keen to return and the manager knows all about him. The best football I can remember seeing over the last few seasons invariably had him involved in the build up, if not the finish!
Pearson obviouly felt Martin couldn't hack it in a 4-4-2 but also felt that Weimann should be a Vardy and Russell a Maghrez!! I'd personally would love to see Martin back asap!!

[Ram59]

He's in fulham's team today for their cup game.

[Rob_the_Ram]

This was meant as a reply to Anag's post but I'm still struggling with the site set up on my iPad!!!!!!

I reckon Martin is a good player in certain set ups. He does suit McLaren's way of playing.
However if management did change, most new managers would look at their assets and at least initially play to their strengths.
Pearson came in and decided 4-4-2 was the ONLY way and persisted even when obvious we didn't have the players at that time for it.
Therefore I think IF Martin came back and IF McLaren did leave, he would only be the same as any other player looking to impress and keep his place.