The season's end is approaching in the Championship, and with it, the promotion race is hotting up. In the midst of the battle is a Derby County side who look increasingly likely to clinch a playoff place, at the very least. Led by Chris Martin up front, who has scored or assisted 20 of their 58 goals (34.5%), they are hoping to make a return to the Premier League next season.
WhoScored.com were recently given the chance to discuss the season so far, what the future holds and more with the former Norwich City striker, and here's what he had to say.
Currently 4th in the Championship, Derby have been performing above many people's expectations this season, how do you evaluate the season so far?
I think it's been a very good season, we obviously weren't one of the favourites to be where we are now, but we've shown people that we deserve to be there with the way we've played. I think we've played some very good football, scored a lot of goals and had some very good performances so it's nothing more than we deserve.
What has Steve McClaren changed at the club since taking the reigns as manager?
He's not changed a great deal, we play a slightly different shape which has suited the personnel we've got. We work on a few different things in training but nothing too major. I think we always had the quality and he's just found a way of making us click and getting the best out of us.
What would it mean to the club, and on a personal level, to make it back into the Premier League?
It would be a massive achievement if we could do that this season. That's the goal for every footballer, the Premier League is revered across the world, it's one of the best leagues if not the best in the world. It's certainly the biggest in terms of revenue and numbers watching it on television, so that's where everyone wants to be playing their football and on a personal level I'm exactly the same. I've had a little taste of it at Norwich and if I could get back there it would mean the world to me.
With the increase in statistical data to measure performance, do you consider stats to be a key aspect of the modern game? How do you find they are best used?
They are obviously coming to the fore more and more, most managers use them now - a lot of the managers I've played under certainly do, using Prozone stats. I think it's very good, sometimes you can use them too much, you can get wound up in focusing too much on having good stats, but they are something you can analyse to see how you've performed; passes, how you kept the ball, and how many shots you have had. They are a vital tool for teams to use, especially in terms of verifying exactly what happened in a game. Sometimes you can have a different opinion when you're playing and don't actually see the game for what it is, but you look after at the stats and it can reaffirm feelings or tell you the real story. It's a key part of the game and as the years go by data will probably get used even more.
You rank fourth in the Championship for goals + assists this season, how do you rate your season so far on a personal level?
It's been pretty good, but it could have been better. Every striker will tell you that they would always like to score a few more goals, but I've been pleased up to this point. I don't want to let myself think that I've cracked it now, I want to push on and achieve the targets that I've set myself both on a personal level and as a team. We want to be successful this year and I'm pleased with how things have gone so far.
Derby are the second highest-rated team in the Championship this season according to WhoScored's rating system, do you think this is a better reflection of the side's performances than your current league position?
Possibly, it's difficult to know. I'm not 100% sure how the ratings are worked out but I do feel like we are one of the better sides in the division. The way we play football, we pass and move and have a lot of possession, but it could be that the main stat that counts is points on the board and we might have done something wrong if the stats say we are the second best team. However, we are definitely one of the better teams in the league and we've proved that over the course of the season, there's no doubting that, so WhoScored's rating isn't far away from being spot on.
Your statistically calculated strengths include 'passing' and 'finishing'. Do you consider these the strongest aspects of your game?
They are a couple of them, definitely. As a striker you've obviously got to be able to stick the ball in the net, and I've managed to that quite well this season, and then bringing other people into the game is a key aspect of my game at this club, where we play one up front. You have to be providing for other people and laying the ball off for them, using me as a focal point and having runners off me, so yes, they are two things that are a product of how we play as a team. We obviously create a lot of chances and I've managed to put a few away, but we also use me a lot in open play to try and get attacks started and play through the middle, so I've had to be good at them and it's been a good job I have I suppose!
Are there any aspects of your game that you'd particularly like to improve?
Everything. Everyone needs to be looking to improve every single bit of their game, they need to work on their strengths to make them even better as well as weaknesses. I'd like to score more headed goals, I haven't done that particularly well this year and I could work on timingmy runs and attacking the ball. Tactically I could be a bit more aware at times, that's something the manager here has done very well for the team - we know our jobs down to a tee. You are always learning and should never stop.
With the season approaching its climax and Derby right in the mix at the top, do you believe the club is capable of automatic gaining promotion?
I think we're definitely capable, whether that happens is another story. We need to make sure we perform in the remaining games for that to happen, but the squad are definitely capable and we've shown that in our performances up until this point and hopefully we can achieve that.
What are your aspirations on a personal level for the next few years of your career?
To be successful. Every player wants to win something and that's my desire too. I want to win trophies, promotions and get into the Premier League again, and as a club we'd be delighted if that could happen with Derby County in the next few months.
Who is the best player you've played with, and who is the best you've come up against?
Wes Hoolahan at Norwich. Some of the things he can do are outrageous, he's a great playmaker and used to play in the hole behind the striker, and to play with him being you, you are on to a winner. As for against, John Terry. In terms of what he's achieved and how far he's gone it's got to be him. I've played against him a couple of times and he's certainly one of the better players I've come up against.
Can Chris Martin help Derby to promotion this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
