Post by QPR Report on May 11, 2010 8:35:32 GMT
The more one reads, the more bizarre, and the various apologia offered for their departure seems ever-more pathetic - along with the "move on" mantra
Nottingham Evening Post
Camp's Forest journey has been remarkable
Tuesday, May 11, 2010,
IT was an observation that even Lee Camp himself made, as he admitted it is 'unusual' for a goalkeeper to be voted player of the year in a highly successful side.
But that does not make the decision any less deserved, when it comes to the Forest No.1.
Billy Davies' side may have beaten a confident path into the automatic promotion race this season.
But that does not mean Camp has been a redundant figure during their unexpected rise up the Championship table.
Away from home in particular, even during their remarkable ten-month unbeaten run, their formula for success was vastly different to the one witnessed at the City Ground.
The ethos away, since the embarrassing five-goal mauling at Burnley last season, was to keep things tight; to grind out results.
And there is no question that the heroic acrobatics and athleticism of Camp have played an integral part in that.
The keeper – and the back four in front of him – have preserved 19 clean sheets this season, which ranks as the third best in the division.
But not all of them have been easily earned.
Camp had provided a cameo performance of his abilities during a loan spell with the club last season.
It seemed slightly bizarre that QPR were willing to allow the former Derby man to rot away in the reserves, training with the youth team, after that loan spell had come to an end.
And the £100,000 Forest spent to make the move permanent over the summer seems positively paltry.
Particularly as Camp's journey, in little more than a year, has seen him go from suffering the indignity of training with teenagers every day to being spoken of as a potential England keeper.
The World Cup in South Africa will be too soon for Camp, given his lack of experience at the top level. But that too may not be a problem, if he can continue his good form over the coming weeks.
Camp himself probably arrived at the City Ground with a vague sense of trepidation, given his background as not only a former Rams player, but as a fan of their East Midlands rivals in his youth.
The fact that Forest fans have even forgiven him that is the biggest indicator of the impact Camp has had.
He claims he is now only a fan of Nottingham Forest, a claim that is certainly backed up by his passionate, committed attitude on the pitch.
And what isn't in doubt is that Forest supporters are certainly a fan of him.
www.thisisnottinghamforest.co.uk/news/Camp-s-Forest-journey-remarkable/article-2130259-detail/article.html
Nottingham Evening Post - Versatile Blackstock the quiet assassin for Forest
Tuesday, May 11, 2010,
LAST season, when he arrived at the City Ground on loan from QPR, Dexter Blackstock conducted a quietly-spoken, almost timid press conference around a circular table outside the manager's office.
Allowed to leave Loftus Road in controversial circumstances – with then manager Paulo Sousa apparently not informed of the deal – it was as if the striker did not want to add any further fuel to the fire, by shouting from the rooftops about his move.
And, instead, he gave little away.
In the end, his actions on the pitch did all the talking that was required, as he netted two vital goals to help keep Forest in the Championship – and ensure his popularity among the fans.
There was some debate over whether Forest would complete a permanent deal to bring the former Southampton man to the club in the summer.
And, even at that point, once that switch had finally been completed, there was some doubt over whether Blackstock would earn a regular place in the starting line-up.
David McGoldrick had joined, from Southampton, for a seven-figure sum and Dele Adebola on a free transfer from Bristol City.
Nathan Tyson and Joe Garner were already waiting in the wings, hoping to make an impact of their own.
But, as his influence grew from the start, Blackstock soon became one of the first names on the team sheet for Davies.
And, while his importance blossomed on the pitch, his character bloomed off it as well.
One of the deeper-thinking members of the Forest dressing room, Blackstock's quietly-spoken demeanour remained.
But it became clear that, beneath the understated character, there was considered intelligence.
And, while that meant Blackstock always had an opinion to share off the pitch, it was also reflected on it, where he proved that there was more to him there as well.
More than just a target man, Blackstock proved himself an all-round performer, a player capable of predatory play, as well as being a provider for others.
He and Earnshaw have played down their battle to be Forest's top scorer this season, with both men insisting that the team came first.
And, while that is largely an honest assessment, both men will still be driven on by a hunger for more goals.
Blackstock's appetite was perfectly demonstrated by his successful battle to be credited with the second goal against Plymouth a few weeks ago, when it had initially been chalked off as an own goal.
As he himself said in the aftermath of that game however, he wouldn't care if Forest do get to Wembley, with a goal that goes in off his backside. Or, if he crosses for Earnshaw to put one in off his.
All that matters for Blackstock is the team winning.
www.thisisnottinghamforest.co.uk/news/Versatile-Blackstock-quiet-assassin-Forest/article-2134679-detail/article.html
Nottingham Evening Post
Camp's Forest journey has been remarkable
Tuesday, May 11, 2010,
IT was an observation that even Lee Camp himself made, as he admitted it is 'unusual' for a goalkeeper to be voted player of the year in a highly successful side.
But that does not make the decision any less deserved, when it comes to the Forest No.1.
Billy Davies' side may have beaten a confident path into the automatic promotion race this season.
But that does not mean Camp has been a redundant figure during their unexpected rise up the Championship table.
Away from home in particular, even during their remarkable ten-month unbeaten run, their formula for success was vastly different to the one witnessed at the City Ground.
The ethos away, since the embarrassing five-goal mauling at Burnley last season, was to keep things tight; to grind out results.
And there is no question that the heroic acrobatics and athleticism of Camp have played an integral part in that.
The keeper – and the back four in front of him – have preserved 19 clean sheets this season, which ranks as the third best in the division.
But not all of them have been easily earned.
Camp had provided a cameo performance of his abilities during a loan spell with the club last season.
It seemed slightly bizarre that QPR were willing to allow the former Derby man to rot away in the reserves, training with the youth team, after that loan spell had come to an end.
And the £100,000 Forest spent to make the move permanent over the summer seems positively paltry.
Particularly as Camp's journey, in little more than a year, has seen him go from suffering the indignity of training with teenagers every day to being spoken of as a potential England keeper.
The World Cup in South Africa will be too soon for Camp, given his lack of experience at the top level. But that too may not be a problem, if he can continue his good form over the coming weeks.
Camp himself probably arrived at the City Ground with a vague sense of trepidation, given his background as not only a former Rams player, but as a fan of their East Midlands rivals in his youth.
The fact that Forest fans have even forgiven him that is the biggest indicator of the impact Camp has had.
He claims he is now only a fan of Nottingham Forest, a claim that is certainly backed up by his passionate, committed attitude on the pitch.
And what isn't in doubt is that Forest supporters are certainly a fan of him.
www.thisisnottinghamforest.co.uk/news/Camp-s-Forest-journey-remarkable/article-2130259-detail/article.html
Nottingham Evening Post - Versatile Blackstock the quiet assassin for Forest
Tuesday, May 11, 2010,
LAST season, when he arrived at the City Ground on loan from QPR, Dexter Blackstock conducted a quietly-spoken, almost timid press conference around a circular table outside the manager's office.
Allowed to leave Loftus Road in controversial circumstances – with then manager Paulo Sousa apparently not informed of the deal – it was as if the striker did not want to add any further fuel to the fire, by shouting from the rooftops about his move.
And, instead, he gave little away.
In the end, his actions on the pitch did all the talking that was required, as he netted two vital goals to help keep Forest in the Championship – and ensure his popularity among the fans.
There was some debate over whether Forest would complete a permanent deal to bring the former Southampton man to the club in the summer.
And, even at that point, once that switch had finally been completed, there was some doubt over whether Blackstock would earn a regular place in the starting line-up.
David McGoldrick had joined, from Southampton, for a seven-figure sum and Dele Adebola on a free transfer from Bristol City.
Nathan Tyson and Joe Garner were already waiting in the wings, hoping to make an impact of their own.
But, as his influence grew from the start, Blackstock soon became one of the first names on the team sheet for Davies.
And, while his importance blossomed on the pitch, his character bloomed off it as well.
One of the deeper-thinking members of the Forest dressing room, Blackstock's quietly-spoken demeanour remained.
But it became clear that, beneath the understated character, there was considered intelligence.
And, while that meant Blackstock always had an opinion to share off the pitch, it was also reflected on it, where he proved that there was more to him there as well.
More than just a target man, Blackstock proved himself an all-round performer, a player capable of predatory play, as well as being a provider for others.
He and Earnshaw have played down their battle to be Forest's top scorer this season, with both men insisting that the team came first.
And, while that is largely an honest assessment, both men will still be driven on by a hunger for more goals.
Blackstock's appetite was perfectly demonstrated by his successful battle to be credited with the second goal against Plymouth a few weeks ago, when it had initially been chalked off as an own goal.
As he himself said in the aftermath of that game however, he wouldn't care if Forest do get to Wembley, with a goal that goes in off his backside. Or, if he crosses for Earnshaw to put one in off his.
All that matters for Blackstock is the team winning.
www.thisisnottinghamforest.co.uk/news/Versatile-Blackstock-quiet-assassin-Forest/article-2134679-detail/article.html