It has been a frustrating start to the season for Derby County, who go into this weekend's encounter with Leeds United hoping to record only their second league win of the campaign.

The Rams haven't picked up all three points since the opening day of the season, where Tom Lawrence's brace secured a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium.

Since picking up a victory in West Yorkshire, Phillip Cocu's side have looked nowhere near as dynamic or as useful as attack, scoring only two goals from open play on their home turf.

The Rams will be without Lawrence for this weekend's trip to Elland Road due to suspension, with the winger picking up his fifth yellow card of the season already, perhaps showing the frustration that has summed up their season so far.

After their 1-1 draw with Cardiff City on Friday night, Cocu took a swipe at Neil Warnock's side's tactics, criticising them for being too direct and physical.

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On the same night, Chris Martin made his first appearance for the Rams in over a year-and-a-half, after being frozen out by both Gary Rowett and Frank Lampard.

The 30-year-old has since endured loan spells with Hull City and Reading, failing to produce anywhere near the kind of form he displayed for Derby in five or so years ago.

Martin has showed during his time at Pride Park that when playing to his strengths, he can be prolific in the second tier. The Scot scored 25 goals in the 2013/14 campaign and netted 21 times the following season.

Martin offers something different to what Derby's other forwards do. Jack Marriott thrives on playing off the shoulder, and Martyn Waghorn does his best work in the final thid.

The Scot, meanwhile, is more of a physical option up top, who possesses real aerial threat and physical prowess.

Cocu is clearly an advocate of passing, possession-based football, having played for one of the best teams in world football in FC Barcelona, so it's highly unlikely that he'll completely change his philosophy.

But Martin is more than just a long-ball orientated, powerful striker. With the ball played into feet, his hold-up play is excellent, and that can bring other flair players like Lawrence into play.

Marriott and Waghorn have both failed to impress in the early stages of the season, and Martin surely deserves to be given a regular chance.

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