Clean Sheets Suit Paul Smith

Paul Smith believes he has returned to the form that almost earned him an England call-up.

The Reds number one insists he is in the form of his life at Forest after stretching his record of clean sheets to 11 for the season following Saturday's 2-0 victory over Brentford.

Smith believes his displays this term have topped those he managed in the Premiership for Southampton, when he caught the eye of then England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

The 26-year-old was ultimately overlooked by his country - but is confident he's now back to his best.

He said: 'In terms of results and clean sheets, 11 in 18 games has got to be up there with the best form of my career.

'It compares well with my form at Southampton. Obviously Premier League football is a different level and it's where every player strives to perform.

'But at the moment I'm happy with what I'm doing here and as long as we can push this club forward we will be happy.'

Smith's form since his £500,000 move from Southampton has been a major factor in Forest's impressive start to the season, which sees them seven points clear at the top of League One.

But he insists both he and Forest are determined to continue the standards they have set so far.

'You can't get complacent,' he said. 'The moment you do, that's when you can slip up and concede, so you constantly have to be on your toes.'

Source: Nottingham Evening Post.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.