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G.M's Match Preview: Rams Must Rectify Results & Avoid Another Flop At Fulham
Saturday, 6th Feb 2016 06:55 by George Martin

A huge Derby contingent of over four thousand fans will follow the Rams to Craven Cottage for the Fulham clash. The Rams will be hoping for a win to stem the tide following a run of poor form and results.

Derby played, at times some good football against a very well organised and hard working Preston side, however too many times players took an extra touch, the cross into the box hit the first man Warnock) or went for a goal kick (Blackman)when we had got round the back near the by-line.

Fans could tell Derby were not going to score although Bryson had a good chance late on. Derby did not have a single shot on target for the whole game and Preston deserved their point.

Paul Clement may opt to play Baird instead of Christie at right back as nothing seemed to come off for him against Preston. This will allow Ince more licence to go forward as he may need to track back less with Baird making fewer overlapping runs.

Hendrick played well and fully justified starting showing far more energy and athleticism than Johnson. Butterfield was quieter than normal and fans were surprised it was Hendrick and not him that was substituted for Bryson.

Thorne is under an injury cloud with a calf starn but if he pulls up ok should continue in the holding role as long as Derby keeps the same formation, if not Johnson may earn a reprieve to fill the void. Bryson will also be pushing for a start but surely has to be eased back in after not playing regularly for nearly a year now.

Blackman was again ineffective so fans may want to see Camara start, but this position may fall to Weimann who will return to the match day 18. His ex Aston Villa colleague Darren Bent will also return to the squad but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

Fans do not understand why Bent was not in the squad especially as the squad has not needed Baird or Olsson on the bench. The squad does not need so many wide players who are all similar types, providing much of a muchness.

Derby are struggling to score goals and Bent is a proven goal scorer. Clement does not do himself any favours with certain selections, formations and substitutions. Martin is likely to continue in the loan striker role with Ince on the right.

The stand out players for Fulham are forwards McCormack and Dembe as they both create and score goal and are a handful for any defence in the division.

Fulham have strengthened during the transfer window by signing the midfield pair of Zakaria Labyad and Rohan Ince on loan from Sporting Lisbon and Brighton. New manager Jokanovic may also involve defender Fernando Amorebieta as he returns to Craven Cottage after he was recalled from his loan at Middlesbrough.

Fulham are unbeaten in five home league meetings with the Rams having won three and drawn two dating back to 1969.

Derby will be hoping to create chances and score as Fulham have conceded in all of their previous 17 games, which is actually the longest streak for goals conceded in the Championship this season.

Fulham's form over recent months has also been below average having won just one of their last 14 Championship games. Derby will be hoping to capitalise on this by taking the game to Fulham and playing on the front foot as they did in the first half against Burnley.

Prediction:

The statistics and form guide show that both teams are on a poor run. This usually means the team that does not make the mistake of nervously sitting back and confidently takes the game to their opposition often comes out on top.

This time last season, Derby went to Fulham when they sat top of the league with huge expectancy and lost. We all know what happened in the following games after that.

This time Derby visit lacking results, confidence and expectation. Hopefully this will mean it is a complete turn around and Derby will win. However, Fulham do create chances and are likely to score.

Fulham 1-1 Derby with Hendrick to score.

The cheeky money would be on 2-1 for Derby and Bent to get the winner in front of the four thousand Rams faithful. We will see.........


Last Time They Met:

Derby 2 v 0 Fulham

iPro Stadium — 26th Dec 2015


Classic Clash:

Fulham 2 v 5 Derby

Craven Cottage — 28th October 2014


Gaffer Pre-Match Preview:

Paul Clement praises Rams fans and understands their frustrations.


COYR!!



Photo: Action Images



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