Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton outlines what the former Bristol City striker will bring to the Gas

Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton believes Chris Martin will add quality and experience to his squad as the Gas have reached a short-term deal with the former Bristol City and Derby County striker.

Martin has been training with Rovers over the past two weeks after being released by QPR at the end of last season, but with interest elsewhere in League One, his preference has always been to stay at Bristol, where his family is he lived when he was two years old and one year old. . -half season at Ashton Gate.

The 34-year-old has signed a deal until January, aiding Barton’s options in attack following the deadline day decision to sell Ryan Loft coupled with the club’s inability to conclude a move for Jonson Clarke-Harris from Peterborough United.

That unsatisfactory conclusion to the window left Rovers with just one recognised central striker in John Marquis, who has been in form with two goals in two games, but even with Aaron Collins capable of playing there, additional depth has been required.

Martin could now make his debut lining up against Clarke-Harris as the Gas travel to Peterborough on Saturday, while Rovers then take on Loft’s new club Port Vale next Tuesday.

“We are delighted to get Chris in with us and add another striker to our group,” Barton said. “He joins us at a good time and his presence will further add experience and quality to our squad. We are looking forward to seeing him have an impact in the coming months.”

Martin is a hugely experienced and established EFL striker, with his most recent club being QPR where he scored four times in 16 games for the Championship side.

Prior to that he was with City, where his contract was mutually terminated in January after 95 appearances for the club. That was after a seven-year stay at Derby County, all in the Championship, where he also earned 17 Scotland caps.

Martin began his career with Norwich City, making his debut in 2007, and has scored 150 goals in 535 appearances, primarily at Championship level. Indeed, when he takes to the field for the Gas it will be his first season in League One since 2009/10 where he scored 23 goals in 48 games for the Canaries.

Strong and with a sharp first touch, Martin can act as both a targetman but also a creative second striker for the Gas where he could be paired with Marquis or Collins.

He becomes the Gas’ 13th signing of the summer and the 50th for the club under Barton – although James Connolly, Connor Taylor and Luke Thomas were brought in on loan and then permanent deals.

Martin’s also the second former City player to wear blue and white with right-back Jack Hunt having moved to the Mem in the summer. The two were teammates during the 2020/21 season.

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The 34-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Championship side Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season and it was reported at the beginning of the month that manager Gareth Ainsworth was considering bringing the veteran back to Loftus Road, with discussions taking place between the two parties.

Having spent the bulk of his career playing in England’s second tier, Rovers boss Joey Barton will be hoping that his experience will pay dividends as he targets promotion from League One.

It is no secret that a striker was high on the agenda for the Pirates this summer, with a last-ditch attempt to bring in Peterborough United’s Jonson Clarke-Harris falling through after the relevant paperwork failed to be submitted on time.

Martin previously spent time at rivals Bristol City, scoring 17 goals in 95 appearances before his release last January. He now arrives at the other end of the city – via QPR – on a short-term deal until January.

Speaking after the announcement, manager Barton said;

“We are delighted to get Chris in with us and add another striker to our group. He joins us at a good time and his presence will further add experience and quality to our squad. We are looking forward to seeing him have an impact in the coming months.”

Rovers currently sit 12th in League One and Martin could make his debut this Saturday when they travel to Cambridgeshire to face Peterborough.

Writer’s View

Chris Martin is a player who could prove to be the difference maker in the coming months for Bristol Rovers. Although his best days are behind him, he should still be able to make an impact in League One after spending over a decade operating in the league above.

His short time at QPR last season was considered a success and it was a surprise to see that he was released at the end of the season. The fact that Ainsworth wanted to bring him back shows that that feeling is shared at Loftus Road, but Martin clearly feels that he will get more game time by dropping down a division.

He will already have one eye on November’s clash with Derby County, where he spent a large chunk of his career, scoring 76 goals in 224 appearances.