Snippets: Managerial Names...Lee Camp Speaking ...Four QPR Birthdays

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A different newspaper...a different name.

From BBC Gossip:
- Alan Curbishley is favourite to become Queens Park Rangers boss following Iain Dowie's sacking. (Daily Express)
- Terry Venables has emerged as a leading contender to succeed Iain Dowie as Queens Park Rangers boss. (Daily Mail)
- Roberto Mancini, Roberto Donadoni, Terry Venables, Kenny Jackett and Sam Allardyce are in the frame to succeed Iain Dowie as QPR boss. (The Times) BBC Gossip


Nottingham Evening Post - Frustrated Camp ready for Forest challenge
IT'S been a frustrating time for Lee Camp this season after being forced to take a back seat with QPR.
He was a familiar face in the league last season since joining from Derby following a successful loan spell.
A fans' favourite, he had every reason to feel happy with himself as QPR clawed their way out of trouble.
But the arrival of new manager Iain Dowie and Radek Cerny, from Tottenham, has seen his career in London stall. After rediscovering his best form, he has had to bide his time for his next opportunity.
So when Nottingham Forest handed it to him this week, it was not a chance he was prepared to pass up.
Camp, who only turned 24 in August, said: "It has been frustrating because I like playing football.
"I am ambitious and I get itchy feet when I am not playing. For whatever reason, I feel I have been overlooked at QPR. It is the manager's decision and I respect that. But I was honest with him and he was honest with me.
- "I had a difficult season at Derby and then a few loan spells and it was good to play regularly last year, to try to get myself back to a level I was pleased with.
- "It is a level of consistency (you find) and then suddenly you do not play again. That is behind me and this is a new chapter – and one I am looking forward to."
Camp believes he has the experience and mental strength to help the Reds out of their current plight at the foot of the Championship table. After his debut against Ipswich on Tuesday, he is preparing to face Cardiff today.
He said: "I would like to think I can help. I might see something somebody else doesn't, a different voice in the changing room might help.
- "I have been in this position before and at 24 I have experienced quite a lot for my age. Over the years, I have been in some difficult personal situations and some difficult positions on the football field, so I feel I am a lot more mature now than I was when I left Derby. Hopefully, I can have a positive effect on things and help the team move up the table."
- The news of Camp's arrival will have rocked Paul Smith, who has been number one since arriving from Southampton in the summer of 2006.
- But Camp knows he has to maintain high standards if he is to dislodge Smith.
"I have come here to play first team football," he said. "I am as accountable as anybody, just because I am here on loan does not give me a right to play. I am here to do my very best."
- Having come through the ranks at Derby, it is strange for Camp to make the switch to local rivals Forest.
- But it did not put him off what he knew would be a great opportunity, and it will add extra spice to the game at Pride Park in eight days' time.
- Camp said: "I rang a few people the night before I signed to let them know. I thought it was better they heard it from me rather than the press.
- "Everyone has been pretty supportive. I think they understand and respect that I have to try to carve a career out for myself in the game. It is my old club and I won't shy away from the fact I am a Derby boy, my family are Derby supporters. But I will be there to do a job."
- That is just one of many important games Camp will be involved in, as he tries to help the Reds out of trouble during his three-month loan spell.
As for what happens after that, Camp said it was anyone's guess.
"I still have quite a lengthy contract at QPR so whatever happens, happens. January 1 is when the window opens, so this is a good opportunity for both parties to size each other up." Nottingham Evening Post


FOUR QPR BIRTHDAYS

Adam Bolder Turns 28
Born October 25, 1980. Signed by John Gregory and appointed QPR Captain. Still at QPR, although not yet played in the first team this season. See Bolder/Stats


Bobby Keetch - Would Have Been 67
Born October 25, 1941. Keetch sadly died a few years ago). Central defender, Keetch was signed from Fulham on a free at the end of our 1966/67 season and played 50+ games primarily in our 1967/68 promotion season and then almost half our First Division relegation season (including coming on as sub in our 8-1 defeat at Manchester United!). Euphemistically known as a "hard" man! See Wikipedia/Keetch. See also Bobby Keeth Obituary


Don Rogers Turns 63: October 25, 1945 Goalscoring winger, Rogers had a brilliant career with Swindon, doing for them what Rodney Marsh did for QPR and helping them win the League Cup against Arsenal. For years he was one of the most sought-after players outside the First Division. Rogers then had a couple of years with Crystal Palace.
- Rogers joined QPR in 1974 in an exchange deal in which Terry Venables + Ian Evans cash went to Malcolm Allison's Crystal Palace. Gordon Jago's last signing before he left and was replaced by Dave Sexton. At the time Rogers seemed like a brilliant QPR signing and a replacement for Stan Bowles who was (again) on the transfer list. And briefly QPR could in theory field a forward line of Thomas, Bowles and Rogers.
- Unforunately it didn't work out. He played 18 games, scoring 5 goals in the 1974/75 season and played no games during QPR's 1975/76 Championship season. In March 1976, Rogers rejoined Swindon in a part exchange in which Peter Eastoe joined QPR. - See Wikipedia/Don Rogers. Also Rogers/Stats


Steve Hodge Turns 46:
Born October 25, 1962 Ex-England International, Hodge Joined QPR from Leeds for 300,000 pounds in 1994-1995 at aged 32. Signed by Gerry Francis shortly before he left and was replaced by Ray Wilkins. Played 15 games that season and that was it. Hodge joined Watford on a free transfer, the following season. Was linked to a QPR move at the beginning of his career while with Nottingham Forest. Hodge Stats