Burns: Camp for England? Why not?

OVER the past week or so there has been quite a group building up, all sharing the same belief.

They are mustering a campaign regarding Lee Camp for England.

Well, I had never really given it much thought before, if I am perfectly honest.

But after the penalty save and solid performance between the sticks in Nottingham Forest's last game against Reading, everybody started talking about it.

It was not just because of a penalty save that all the talk arose. No. It was as result of his consistently excellent performances in the Forest shirt.

During his loan stint from October to December 2008, he was awesome. And since he rejoined on a permanent deal in the summer, he has been just as good again. If not better.

As the fans chanted 'Camp for England' and I listened to the debate on the radio after the game, I gave it some thought myself.

And you know what . . . why not?

He is certainly the best goalkeeper in the Championship and as for those in the Premiership, who do England have?

David James who is almost 40, Rob Green and Joe Hart. With such consistent performances, Camp should be pushing for a place.

And if Three Lions boss Fabio Capello sent his scouts to the Forest games, they would see exactly why such talk is not pie in the sky.

Unlike strikers, midfielders or defenders, I believe goalkeepers don't have to be in the top-flight to be in with a chance.

A save is a save and Camp is one of the best when it comes to that. Add to that his presence when commanding his area and you have a goalkeeper with an all-round talent.

I have always liked Campy, he oozes confidence and backs it up on the pitch. A call-up to the England squad might not be immediate but having played at all other levels for his country, I feel it may only be a matter of time.

If he continues to perform like he is, he will help the Reds win promotion to the top flight.

And once he gets his chance in the top flight, watch this space. There will be no way Capello could ignore him any longer.

But Camp has been just one of many signings to shine so far for Forest this season and because of the FA Cup exit, they have all enjoyed a ten-day refreshing break ahead of tomorrow night's home match with QPR.

And on Saturday they go to Pride Park to face their local rivals, the struggling Derby County.

In seasons gone past, I would have been worried about certain matches, certain teams. I would have had a horrible feeling the Reds would have to pull out something special just to avoid being turned over.

But not any more. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Whether it be QPR, Derby, Newcastle, I'd fancy Nottingham Forest.

In the win against Reading in their last outing, they demonstrated the trait that all opposition sides hate. Pace.

It frightens them to death and when Forest use it so well, they are unstoppable.

Also, if you allow teams time on the ball, even bad players can look good. But Forest give nobody a second on the ball, they harass and unsettle from the first to the last whistle.

It is great to watch and a key ingredient to their success this season and if they continue in the same vein, it is the likes of Nigel Clough and Derby who should be worrying about this weekend.

I have nothing but positivity running through my blood when it comes to the Reds and I have full confidence in them.

When I say they always come out and do the job, that is down to Billy Davies, his assistant Ned Kelly and the rest of the backroom staff.

They have done a fantastic job, they have got the players buzzing and implementing their plans to perfection.

I heard Camp say Davies goes into that much detail he knows where the opposition live, what they had for breakfast and whether they prefer cats or dogs.

Whatever he is doing, it is working a treat and long may it continue.

After a short break, I hope they come out firing on all cylinders against QPR tomorrow at the City Ground. Another three points would crank the pressure up on Newcastle and West Brom even further.

As for Camp, if he can maintain his form, which I am sure he can, the Reds will definitely be in with a shout for an automatic promotion spot.

Will it be enough to get him an England call anytime soon? Probably not.

But Camp is one of the best stoppers in the land on current form.

In my eyes, he deserves a shot. I just hope sooner rather than later.

After all, I can remember Peterborough's Joe Lewis getting the England call-up shortly after helping his side win promotion from League Two.

It was Capello who made that decision. So the proof is there that there is chance yet for Camp, even if he is currently plying his trade in the second tier of English football.