Consistently inconsistent, that’s Derby County 2012 -13. Derby looked like overwhelming visitors Burnley during an often-exciting clash last Saturday - but the Rams gave up all the points at the death.

Burnley proved tougher opposition than either Sheffield Wednesday who recovered from a Rams’ pounding to snatch an unlikely point on opening day, or Watford, who just received a right pounding...but couldn’t make a full recovery.

Saturday’s game saw Derby playing bright, progressive football again but there wasn’t enough distance between them and the opposition - Burnley exploited Derby’s frailties when they periodically emerged from Derby’s goal-ward assaults and because they took their few chances clinically, came away with all three points.

Derby might have had a penalty before they took the lead with another crisp long-range Jamie Ward drive; a two-goal lead might have kept Burnley at arm’s length, but the Clarets snatched the game with a late, late goal and Derby’s endeavours amounted to nothing.

Again, Derby produced a dozen or more chances and their display was worth a draw or win. Their lack of ruthlessness up front is still costing them dear though, and all the forwards were guilty of dithering or striking poor, off-target efforts.

Conor Sammon had added bustle and presence up front but he does not look like a natural finisher. It is early days for him, because he had little chance to establish a run in the Wigan side and is thus still lacking in match fitness. If he can convert more chances, he will be a Derby success story.

Nathan Tyson isn’t a natural finisher either and Theo Robinson is usually in two minds when the goal opportunities confront him. Callum Ball isn’t an option right now as he is out on loan at Coventry – and was joined this week by spare midfielder James Bailey. Callum will be pleased with having notched a goal against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the League Cup this week, despite the Sky Blues receiving a 6-1 hiding. Ohh, I forgot...Conor Doyle’s a striker, too.

Jamie Ward’s form suggests that he will have his most prolific season and he’s begun to strike the kind of quick-thinking, accurate long-range drives that catch out goalkeepers, in much the way that Bobby Davison or Paulo Wanchope did in past times. It would be a brave man, however, to put a wager on Jamie being the elusive ’20-goal striker’ that the Derby team is crying out for.

There was much good approach play from Derby against Burnley and it is clear that the Rams are trying to play in a positive manner. The Championship is as competitive as ever this season, and most teams can beat each other. That’s why the margin of error in games is so slim and so critical, that games can slip out of your grasp when you’ve looked odds-on winner for much of the game.

Two-goal Charlie Austin again proved the scourge of the Derby defence, just as he had done in this fixture last season. He took his limited chances clinically.

As we saw last season, a lack of goals stunted Derby’s top-six thrust and the promise of a play-off spot given to supporters foundered on that lack of ultimate quality. At present, the signs are that we are in for a repeat performance this season. We may again have a team capable of showing improvement but which also watches all the real contenders move out of sight when the end-of-season reckoning arrives.

It does get a bit frustrating to be ready to leap out of your seat in celebration when it seems certain that we will score, only to see chance after chance frittered away and to instead regularly tear out your hair and mutter in frustration!

I don’t think that the pattern will change greatly, given the Rams’ current unconvincing striker compliment. Let’s hope that we can make some chances count at the City Ground next Sunday and that we don’t come away with yet more ‘if only’ hard-luck stories from a repeat of the Burnley disappointment.

New CEO Sam Rush was watching on Saturday...will he employ his transfer market knowledge to secure an established hit-man for his Derby County squad? Time will tell.

The Trees have had a solid start to the season and (annoyingly), the experienced Sean O’Driscoll has settled in quickly as boss at the City Ground and on early evidence, is turning their fortunes around.

Derby need to set about their business quickly at the City Ground on Sunday; they are unlikely to suffer the disastrous start that happened last season - goalkeeper Fielding getting sent off in the first minute and conceding a penalty goal.

Whatever drama awaits us, I don’t know one Derby fan that wouldn’t settle for the same 2-1 winning margin!

COME ON YOU RAMS!

Photo: Action Images

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