Preview - Derby County v Fulham Friday, 28th Mar 2008 10:44 This could be the match where what is seemed inevitable to 99% of fans since August happens. Derby County v Fulham On the other hand it could be the game that we start the greatest escape since ... well in fact ever! Will today's opponents Fulham join us in the Coca Cola Championship next season? There is an increasing swell of opinion around Craven Cottage that says yes. The Cottagers away form is nearly as bad as ours. They haven't won away all season and in fact haven't won on the road since September 2006 - 32 games in all. As they'ver only kept one clean sheet in six and not scored in four of those games, it's not difficult to see what the problem is. Can Fulham stay up? The result that would relegate us would leave them one point behind Birmingham with everything to play for on the run-in. Apart from a tricky tie against Liverpool, the Cottagers run in has potential six point ties against Sunderland, Reading and Birmingham. The pressure would seem to be on them on Saturday. Derby have pretty much sold out for this fixture. On Previous occasions, Fulham have had a very poor turn out from the traveling faithful however it’s reported that only a handful of seats are left so maybe tomorrow will generate the atmosphere that Derby thrive in. One point in Fulham’s favour – They have never lost a Premiership fixture to the Rams. Current Fulham Squad No. Position Player Last 5 games Wigan 1-1 Fulham Danger Men Fulham's leading scorers is Clint Dempsey. He has maanaged six so far this season. David Healy hasn't done so well but he did score for Northern Ireland in midweek. He's scored 33 international goals for Northern Ireland and 78 goals in the lower divisions. As I said last time, he's not the tallest of strikers, standing only 5'8” however he does score with his head. Defenders take note. Other players to watch out for are Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard. It's great to see Bullard playing again after his career was so threatened by injury. It will be the formof these players thatdecide if Fulham stay up. There are no injuries reported at the time of writing. The Rams It would appear that the game against Manchester United was just a dead cat bounce. A lot of the poor play that has characterized the season was on display at The Riverside last week. The team did play better in the second half and Robbie Savage did put himself around a bit but the outcome was the same. That said if Kenny Miller had been as clinical as we was for Scotland in midweek, we might have at least taken a point. Miller has come in for some criticism from supporters over his perceived lack of effort and wanting away. I think this is rather unfair given as he’s often ploughed a lone furrow and been chasing lost causes. The problem with Miller and many of our other better players is that we’ve never played to their strengths. When Steve Howard was up front there was at least some chance that he would win a percentage of balls in the air for his strike partners or the midfield to run on to. The same balls for Miller (or Earnshaw or Villa for that matter) are easy for defenders to deal with. A pass into space for miller to run onto could pay dividends – as we saw in the Scotland game. This is probably one of the best games remaining to aim for the unwanted ‘Worst team in the Premiership ever’ record. There are several other statistics we may get lumbered with this season, from the BBC: • Gone 28 without a win With statistics like that, it’s a minor miracle we get anyone to turn up at all. It would be nice to think the manager and players have some belief we can at least beat some of those records. Mick’s team: Carroll, Edworthy, Moore, Leacock, McEveley, Ghaly, Savage, Jones, Lewis, Earnshaw, Miller What the bookies think The Cottagers are slight favourites at 5/4 while your can get 7/4 on the Rams. The draw is at 11/5 and I’m inclined to take it to be honest. Some interesting comments from Mark Lawrenson on the BBC website; “I'm hoping that this will be an open and exciting game. He goes for 2-2. I could live with that. Drinking: There are very few pubs very close to the ground but if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you’re not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Driving: Fulham Broadway to Derby is about 140 miles. Take the M1 North until J24 and follow the Brian Clough Way (A52) to Derby. Take the ring road towards London Rd and the parking area below or follow the signs for Pride Park itself. Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a building site so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Another alternative is to take the Derby Ring road towards the City Centre and pass the exit for Pride Park on Brian Clough Way (A52) and head for Pentagon Island. Take the first exit and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here. Mick's Prediction Last week I predicted 1-0 to the Rams. As usual for me, the score comes true but in bitterly ironic fashion. It was still a great day out in Middlesbrough despite the cold and snow. This week I’m hoping we can go out and do what Mark Lawrenson suggests. Let both managers say; 'let's go for it'. Be even better if we could snatch a victory. Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle broke their duck last week … Can Paul Jewell’s Rams? Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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