Post by QPR Report on Apr 26, 2010 6:29:03 GMT
PFA Team of the Year...Nottingham Fores Player of the Season... 
Nottingham Evening Post
Forest keeper Camp has eyes on more silverware
Monday, April 26, 2010
HAVING been handed the player of the season award by his manager on the pitch prior to kick-off on Saturday, goalkeeper Lee Camp admits to considering the prospect of lifting a rather more significant piece of silverware in a few weeks.
A 19th clean sheet of the Championship season against Plymouth, provided further evidence as to why Camp was chosen for the accolade.
But, with club captain Paul McKenna battling a knee injury, Camp is dreaming of a climb up the famous Wembley steps to collect an even bigger prize in the play-off final.
"It would mean everything to me to lift another trophy in a few weeks," said Camp.
"I would hand everything over in exchange for that – all the clean sheets, this award, everything, because that is the ultimate goal.
"Hopefully if we do get that far, Paul will be back to lift the trophy himself.
"He is working very hard, I know that. But he is probably a long way off still. I have an opinion on a lot of things – but I am not going to try to be an expert on sports and medical science and injuries now.
"If he is back, fantastic, because he is a great leader and a great presence in the side.
"But, if he is not, we will go about our task in the same way and somebody will have to step up and be a hero.
"And, hopefully, at the end of the day, I'll have a chance to lift that trophy."
In a side that has been successful and, particularly at home, free-scoring this season, it is perhaps unusual for the goalkeeper to be selected for the player of the season award.
And, modestly, Camp admits he must have had some serious rivals for the title.
"It is really special for me. I am not sure there are many goalkeepers who would win player of the year in such a successful side," he said.
"There have been a lot of good performances and lots of consistent performances from other players.
"Chris Cohen has been outstanding whether he has played at left back, right wing, left wing or central midfield. Wherever he plays, he puts in a great shift and a great performance every week.
"He is only a young lad but he plays like he has the experienced head of a 35-year-old. I am sure he must have pushed me very hard for the award.
"On top of that, Wes has been Mr Consistent in the centre of defence and Kelvin, alongside him, has been first class.
"I think Luke Chambers has done really well at the back as well, when he has come into the side.
"Then there is Paul McKenna and the contribution he has made – you can reel them off.
"To get it from among those players is a great achievement and something I am very proud of."
For Camp, the award could be considered particularly significant.
This time last season he was consigned to training with the youth team at Queen's Park Rangers and his future was more than uncertain.
Twelve months later he has the chance of Premiership football within touching distance – while some fans have been calling for his performances to be recognised with an England call-up.
"You always believe in your ability. But it was a tough couple of months. For some reason, QPR seemed to hold it against me that another club had shown an interest in me, after I had been on loan at Forest," he said.
"It was tough being made to train with the youth team and things like that. It was poor really.
"But I went about my business and, in the long term, I always hoped that Forest would be my long-term future.
"I came in and hit the ground running, because I was raring to go. The fans took to me very quickly, which I appreciate. I honestly could not ask for a lot more.
"Then, this season, people even started jumping on the bandwagon and calling for me to be included in the England reckoning.
"It is remarkable when you consider that, 12 months ago, I was in relative obscurity really, as people talked about me coming here but I was frozen out at QPR.
"It is always nice to have your name mentioned about representing your country, but I have not changed my opinion on it.
"I still feel that there will be three Premiership goalkeepers there in the summer."
It is at this point, Camp smiles as he is reminded he could himself be a Premiership keeper by the summer.
"Sorry, yes, I mean proven Premiership goalkeepers. Players who have performed at the highest level," he says.
"I think that has to be the standard. To take a rookie keeper would be a massive risk, when you are looking to win a tournament. Why would they take that risk?"
In the meantime, before the World Cup gets underway, Camp could well be involved in the most valuable fixture in world club football towards the end of May.
And he is delighted at the prospect.
"I experienced the play-off final from the sidelines at Derby and it was an amazing thing. If you can't win the league then the best way to do it is through the play-offs," he said.
"Although, if you had asked me, I would have accepted second place and the opportunity to sneak up to the Premiership through the back door.
"But if there is a way to do it, it is at Wembley. It will be a great few weeks for the club.
"As long as the players can enjoy it and not get too wrapped up in the pressure of it all, it will hopefully be a hell of a chance for us."
And, if McKenna does not win his fight for fitness, then, after the transformation in fortunes Camp has produced, then nobody would deserve to lift that all-important trophy at Wembley more than him.
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Forest-keeper-Camp-eyes-silverware/article-2069048-detail/article.html
Nottingham Evening Post
Forest keeper Camp has eyes on more silverware
Monday, April 26, 2010
HAVING been handed the player of the season award by his manager on the pitch prior to kick-off on Saturday, goalkeeper Lee Camp admits to considering the prospect of lifting a rather more significant piece of silverware in a few weeks.
A 19th clean sheet of the Championship season against Plymouth, provided further evidence as to why Camp was chosen for the accolade.
But, with club captain Paul McKenna battling a knee injury, Camp is dreaming of a climb up the famous Wembley steps to collect an even bigger prize in the play-off final.
"It would mean everything to me to lift another trophy in a few weeks," said Camp.
"I would hand everything over in exchange for that – all the clean sheets, this award, everything, because that is the ultimate goal.
"Hopefully if we do get that far, Paul will be back to lift the trophy himself.
"He is working very hard, I know that. But he is probably a long way off still. I have an opinion on a lot of things – but I am not going to try to be an expert on sports and medical science and injuries now.
"If he is back, fantastic, because he is a great leader and a great presence in the side.
"But, if he is not, we will go about our task in the same way and somebody will have to step up and be a hero.
"And, hopefully, at the end of the day, I'll have a chance to lift that trophy."
In a side that has been successful and, particularly at home, free-scoring this season, it is perhaps unusual for the goalkeeper to be selected for the player of the season award.
And, modestly, Camp admits he must have had some serious rivals for the title.
"It is really special for me. I am not sure there are many goalkeepers who would win player of the year in such a successful side," he said.
"There have been a lot of good performances and lots of consistent performances from other players.
"Chris Cohen has been outstanding whether he has played at left back, right wing, left wing or central midfield. Wherever he plays, he puts in a great shift and a great performance every week.
"He is only a young lad but he plays like he has the experienced head of a 35-year-old. I am sure he must have pushed me very hard for the award.
"On top of that, Wes has been Mr Consistent in the centre of defence and Kelvin, alongside him, has been first class.
"I think Luke Chambers has done really well at the back as well, when he has come into the side.
"Then there is Paul McKenna and the contribution he has made – you can reel them off.
"To get it from among those players is a great achievement and something I am very proud of."
For Camp, the award could be considered particularly significant.
This time last season he was consigned to training with the youth team at Queen's Park Rangers and his future was more than uncertain.
Twelve months later he has the chance of Premiership football within touching distance – while some fans have been calling for his performances to be recognised with an England call-up.
"You always believe in your ability. But it was a tough couple of months. For some reason, QPR seemed to hold it against me that another club had shown an interest in me, after I had been on loan at Forest," he said.
"It was tough being made to train with the youth team and things like that. It was poor really.
"But I went about my business and, in the long term, I always hoped that Forest would be my long-term future.
"I came in and hit the ground running, because I was raring to go. The fans took to me very quickly, which I appreciate. I honestly could not ask for a lot more.
"Then, this season, people even started jumping on the bandwagon and calling for me to be included in the England reckoning.
"It is remarkable when you consider that, 12 months ago, I was in relative obscurity really, as people talked about me coming here but I was frozen out at QPR.
"It is always nice to have your name mentioned about representing your country, but I have not changed my opinion on it.
"I still feel that there will be three Premiership goalkeepers there in the summer."
It is at this point, Camp smiles as he is reminded he could himself be a Premiership keeper by the summer.
"Sorry, yes, I mean proven Premiership goalkeepers. Players who have performed at the highest level," he says.
"I think that has to be the standard. To take a rookie keeper would be a massive risk, when you are looking to win a tournament. Why would they take that risk?"
In the meantime, before the World Cup gets underway, Camp could well be involved in the most valuable fixture in world club football towards the end of May.
And he is delighted at the prospect.
"I experienced the play-off final from the sidelines at Derby and it was an amazing thing. If you can't win the league then the best way to do it is through the play-offs," he said.
"Although, if you had asked me, I would have accepted second place and the opportunity to sneak up to the Premiership through the back door.
"But if there is a way to do it, it is at Wembley. It will be a great few weeks for the club.
"As long as the players can enjoy it and not get too wrapped up in the pressure of it all, it will hopefully be a hell of a chance for us."
And, if McKenna does not win his fight for fitness, then, after the transformation in fortunes Camp has produced, then nobody would deserve to lift that all-important trophy at Wembley more than him.
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Forest-keeper-Camp-eyes-silverware/article-2069048-detail/article.html
