Rotherham United: Lee Camp on beers, staying up and the defending under Alan Stubbs

And goalkeeper Lee Camp also revealed how the Millers’ defensive troubles under old boss Alan Stubbs had left him feeling like drowning his sorrows.

Rotherham recorded only one shut-out in 14 games before Stubbs was sacked and Kenny Jackett appointed last week, a statistic which really hurt the shot-stopper who was voted last season’s Player of the Year.

“If you look at the goals we conceded, I think there is a consistency in how we conceded them. I think that’s fair,” the 32-year-old told The Star.

“I don’t want to be critical and point the finger at people, but people have eyes in their heads and you can see what happened. Balls came into the box, there were headers, free shots and things you really shouldn’t be dealing with, and eventually you are going to concede goals.

“I am trying to be as politically correct as possible but it is not by coincidence that you concede.”

The Millers are bottom of the Championship but travel to Portman Road with renewed hope after a marked improvement in defence in Jackett’s first match in charge, last Saturday’s unlucky 1-0 reverse at home to Reading.

“I am crying out for a clean sheet,” Camp said. And if he gets one? “If I could afford it, I would buy everyone travelling to Ipswich a beer!”

Defeat tomorrow would see Rotherham open a season with eight successive away losses for the first time in their history, and Camp gave an insight into how he managed to stay strong as Stubbs’ Millers conceded more goals than any other side in the Football League.

“It’s the life of a goalkeeper. What can you do sometimes?” he reflected. “You just have to get on with it. You either sink or you swim, and if you sink you might as well give up. You fight.

“I don’t quit, I accept I am going to concede goals, I have conceded many in my life and I am sure I will concede a lot more. You just get on with it. You are tough, you stick to your principles, you go about your processes. I believe that the work you do will buy you luck and eventually it will change.”

The arrival of Jackett has lifted spirits among players and supporters who believe he is the right man to try to bridge an eight-point gap between the foot of the table and a safety spot in the 32 remaining league matches.

Camp says the former Wolves manager can keep Rotherham up.

“When he comes in and tells you exactly what he wants and what he is expecting, it gives you a clear term of reference,” the keeper said. “That goes with his experience and the fact that he is a well-respected manager. You can’t help but listen.

“A couple of wins gets you back in the mixer and puts pressure on teams. You have just got to keep fighting for those points.

“It’s going to be a tough fight but as long as people keep focused and believe in what we are doing then we will have a chance.”

Cheers to that.

Richard Wood on Jackett and life after playing