Another away game, this time at the Meccano-like Craven Cottage and surely a chance to pick up points.

Fulham 0-0 Derby County

At least against a Fulham side that, despite a lot of spending and some attractive football, hasn't really got going so far this season.

Billy made another string of changes and for the first time in a long while I found myself questioning the wee man's choices; playing Dean Leacock in front of the back four was a new idea and a head scratching one at that – there is no doubt that this system failed on the day, as was evidenced by the decision to discard it before half time. There was no width and very little attacking intent for much of the first half and whilst that is acceptable at Anfield etc. It just doesn't cut it at Craven Cottage.

My guarantee that Rob Earnshaw would start didn't work out either and again I'm perplexed as to why he was again riding the bench; he looked sharp at Reading and but for the officials he would have had a hat-trick for Wales in the week – we need a spark Billy and whilst I like Craig Fagan, a Premiership striker he isn't!

Anyway, t'game and our awesome attacking formation didn't get off to a great start as Fulham started out on top, and whilst I tried to work out when Danny Murphy joined Fulham, the home side were putting the ball in the box on a number of occasions but not really causing all that much danger; without Brian McBride up top the returning Darren Moore was always going to have it easy when the ball was in the air.

The Rams did force Niemi into a couple of saves on the ten minute mark and although they were comfortable for the Fulham keeper it was a promising sign for the Rams fans who had endured the insipid display of marksmanship at Reading last time out. Kenny Miller was first when he latched onto Oakley's pass and drilled a low effort which Niemi pushed wide and Eddie Lewis then hit a similar shot with an identical result as the Rams continued their search for an away goal in the top flight.

Fulham should have taken the lead shortly afterwards as a break led to a kerfuffle in the box and when the ball eventually broke to Seol the Korean could only fire wide when he really should have hit the target and indeed the back of the net.

The Rams came oh-so-close on the half hour when Pearson's surging run and crossed was nearly turned into his own net by Hughes but Niemi made a smart reflex save to spare his captain's blushes. The Rams were have a lot of the ball but not really creating any clear cut chances as they lacked numbers up front; Kenny Miller will run all day but the man needs help and it came just before half time when Claude Davis went off with a knock and was replaced by Giles Barnes.

Notice was then served that the Rams intended to attack and our cause was helped when Paul Konchesky then proceeded to get himself sent off for a senseless elbow on Craig Fagan; one of those moments of madness that footballers so often fall foul to; still, you'll not see me complaining.

Half Time: Fulham 0-0 Rams

Much of the second half was spent in the Fulham half as the Rams sought victory and with Giles Barnes looking something like fit for the first time since his return to action it should have been all three points.

Niemi was forced into a save when Pearson teed up Oakley for a rasping drive that looked good but was in truth fairly comfortable for the Finnish stopper. On the hour the Rams were thwarted again this time with a superb reflex save as Barnes' powerful header from Lewis' corner was kicked away by Niemi when a goal seemed certain.

At the other end Bywater was tested by Baird's piledriver as Fulham made a rare attacking foray in between the spells of possession the Rams were understandably enjoying. Jay McEveley was replaced with 20 minutes to go and he was joined by Dean Leacock as the Rams worryingly lost three of their first choice back four to injury in the spell of one match – it'll be interesting to see what happens with the trio during the week.

The Rams got a great chance to score on 75 minutes when a through ball somehow evaded two Fulham defenders and put Miller in on goal; the angle however was tight and Niemi made a low save as another chance went begging.

The Rams had two more chances to win the points they deserved but as is Derby's luck this season, both went awry; Griffin's cross for the first chance was superb and Stevie Howard was just behind the ball as it trickled through the six yard box and out of play and then Kenny Miller had THE chance when he got to Howard's flick on and with the goal at his mercy was stopped again by the seemingly unbeatable Niemi as the game played out to a goalless draw.

Full Time: Reading 1-0 Rams

Fulham: Niemi; Baird; Stefanovic; Hughes; Konchesky ; Davis (Davies); Murphy; Seol (Bocanegra); Dempsey; Bouazza; Kamara (Healy).

Rams: Bywater 7; McEveley 7 (Griffin 6); Mears 7; Leacock 7 (Howard 6); Davis 7 (Barnes 6); Oakley 6; Pearson 7; Miller 6; Lewis 6; Fagan 6; Moore 8.

Referee: P Dowd.

Attendance: 22,576.

Next up: Everton (home).

Photo: Action Images

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