The former Leeds manager believes the Rams have shot themselves in the foot.
Former manager Neil Redfearn told Radio Yorkshire on Thursday afternoon that it was a catastrophe for Derby County for Chris Martin to be allowed to leave the club on loan.
Martin has finished as County’s top scorer in each of the last three seasons, scoring 25 goals in 2013-14, 21 in 2014-15, and 14 last season.
However, he was allowed by now-suspended manager Nigel Pearson to join Championship rivals Fulham on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move on transfer deadline day.
That switch saw the Rams receive a significant loan fee, reported to be between £2 million and £3 million, with Matej Vydra having arrived earlier in the summer.
Vydra has scored two goals in six Championship appearances since his arrival, whilst Martin’s goal drought has continued; the 24-year-old has not scored at club level since 5 April.
However, Derby are struggling down in 20th in the Championship table and are the division’s lowest scorers with just six goals, and former Leeds manager Redfearn believes it was a disaster to see Martin exit.
Redfearn told Radio Yorkshire: “Derby without Martin; for me that was the catastrophe when they sold him
“A Derby County side without their key striker is definitely weaker.”
Redfearn’s former side are Derby’s next opponents, as Garry Monk’s Leeds travel to the iPro Stadium after the international break.
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