Perspectives of Lee Camp and Gareth Ainsworth
LEE Camp has nothing extra to prove when he lines up for QPR against his one-time goalkeeping rival Lee Grant this weekend.
The former Derby duo both quit the promoted club last summer after several years of intense rivalry for the number one shirt at Pride Park.
They play on opposing sides this Saturday for the first time, when Grant's new club Sheffield Wednesday visit Loftus Road - part of a wider Derby old boys' reunion.
"Granty's a former under-21 international like myself and whether there was room for both of us at Derby was questionable, but it did surprise me that we both ended up leaving," Camp told the Times.
"I was always under the impression that the goalkeeping situation there was pretty strong, there was a lot of potential, and I thought there would be more spent in other areas of the team.
"But my face didn't fit and Granty never got the opportunity to prove himself for whatever reason, so the minute I realised I wasn't going to be in the team, I just wanted to play football.
"I think it was the same for him and he's been excellent so far this year for Wednesday, but there's nothing different about Saturday's game - I want to prove my ability every time I play."
Apart from the two goalkeepers, Rangers skipper Adam Bolder and, of course, newly-borrowed defender Bob Malcolm both have strong Derby connections.
Wednesday, meanwhile, could include another Rams loanee in Michael Johnson, as well as two former Derby strikers, Deon Burton and Marcus Tudgay.
"Marcus Tudgay's one of my best mates in football and one of my best mates in general too," said Camp. "Even when he moved on, he still lived in Derby, so whenever I go back there I usually bump into him somewhere along the line. But it'd be nice to smash him on Saturday - it's about time!
"I played behind Michael Johnson for a number of years and speak to him regularly and I know he doesn't like to do a lot of running, so I'll have a word with Rowan about that.
"I know Tuggy's strengths and Granty's strengths and I'm sure we'll talk about those before the game.
"But I'm sure they'll be talking about me and Bolds and Bob as well. In any case, it's not about the discussions beforehand, it's about what you do on the pitch."
Overall, Camp has been satisfied with his efforts on the pitch of late, with QPR conceding only four goals in the last seven games - compared to 20 in their first eight.
The goalkeeper says former caretaker boss Mick Harford must take some of the credit: "Mick worked hard on shape and discipline, not allowing teams to have many shots and crosses
"Preston away epitomised what we've achieved - we were under the cosh for 75 per cent of the game, yet we didn't concede, and the new boss has taken it on from there.
"Clean sheets are what goalkeepers thrive on - the more the merrier. And if you can keep a clean sheet you're halfway to winning a game."
The Rs travel to Stoke City in the Championship next Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.
