Is this their last attempt in trying to force us to send him back? It puts us in the position of having a player who we know clearly doesn't want to be here and sees his future elsewhere. The only problem being unless we go out and spend big in the next few days then we have no replacement for him. Do we really want to be going into the last few months of the season with a player who may not even care where we end up, and why would he care? Hes more likely to be keeping an eye on Derby results to see where he will be playing next season. Can see it now, Fulham vs Derby in the play off final, where does Martin's loyalties lie in that situation?
The BBC say he's expected to fulfill his loan till the season end.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38785112 There's nothing on the official Club site, as you'd expect. How unprofessional and lacking in class or respect of Derby to make the announcement at this time though. Just can't see the point in keeping him for the reasons Fab says. And you could add a few conspiracy theories; Agent Martin and those penalty misses being uppermost. On the other hand - being Devil's Advocate - if we weren't prepared to commit to buying him why shouldn't he go for a three and a half year deal. That half year is intriguing - could suggest that this is yet again about Derby (ie McLaren) forcing our hand to get him back this January and presumably save them lumping out for Rhodes. However you look at it, the whole situation is messy and stinks!
Seething so back with another observation. Even if he didn't miss those penalties on purpose - and I favour this view because can't believe any professional would want to appear such a mug - you still have to question how committed he was to our cause. He MUST have known and been involved in the detail of this new Derby deal over the last week. So back to the same retribution as when he went on strike. Put him on gardening leave and let him Just Eat ! Really, really buggers us up though, with only 3 days left to get in two strikers.
We don't really know whats been going on behind the scenes though, perhaps Fulham and the gaffer were aware of these contract talks with Derby, it may all have came about when he went on strike, it was reported we refused to increase his wages so maybe at this point Derby came in and gazumped us as it were with a new contract for him. Surely theres got to have been talks between Martin and the gaffer, we can't go forward with this player unless we know he is comitted to us at least for these next few months. I'm not sure tomorrows team selection will tell us much as with it being a cup tie there was always the chance of squad rotation, but in future games if the gaffer is happy to use Martin having been given reassurances for the rest of the season then I am happy to trust the gaffer.
Well theres already reports around saying Martin may refuse to play again to force a return to Derby! They have really put us in the **** here, we need to go out and find a replacement with 3 days of the transfer window left, who really wants to sell a good striker at this point??
The Football thingy on Channel 5 have just read out at statement from the Club saying "Chris Martin is under contract to Fulham and will play the remainder of the season here". Unbelievable situation.
It sounds like we are intent on keeping him here, whether he plays or not is another thing. They are sticking with what the gaffer said a few weeks ago, even if Martin doesn't want to be here we don't plan on strengthening one of our rivals. Crazy situation and one we could be doing without. Go get Nahki Wells!!
A lack of class and professionalism from Martin and Derby. Now we need to focus on 2 strikers and stick him in the reserves for the rest of the season. He's made his bed, now he's got to lie in it. Also, what a load of bull last week when he said he wants to concentrate on the football. Yeah, at Derby!
After today's game the press quizzed the Gaffer more about Martin than our performance. His reply to their queries: "What they've done is completely legal, but although he signed a new contract it doesn't bring us any change. We're going to send him back in better condition. This situation doesn't change anything, and if they (Derby) are in the top six by the second week of May - he will play for them. I don't know what's going to happen in the end, but we still have an option to buy." That would appear to suggest, even if we decide to buy him in the summer window, that we won't have him for the play-offs.
Lonees are a great option for both clubs concerned,but if one should shine while on loan the parent club must be the ultimate winners, Dependant on many factors,if we wish to be one of next seasons promotion hopefuls we must spend on class,if I were in the Fulham hierarchy spend a few mil on bringing back Hyndmam for i fear TC will be leaving us in the close season and here is a ready made replacement.
Another great quote from the Gaffer (in his post match comment on the Club's official site): "I understand why Derby like this player [Martin], they believe the best Derby striker is in my dressing room. I believe the same."
