Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894

Source for image above: HTAFC

Experienced defender Richard Keogh has joined Huddersfield again to much divide from the fans but what about the player himself? We investigate more into the transfer to see what we can expect.

Of all the signings that Huddersfield have made this January transfer window, this move has caused the most divide among the fanbase. Experienced defender Richard Keogh has joined The Terriers on a deal until the end of the season. The 34-year-old has arrived from MK Dons where he made 21 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

For those against the transfer, there are two main points. The first being from a football perspective, he’s an ageing defender who has only recently come back from a long-term injury. Not only that, he was plying his trade in League One with MK Dons, so people feel he won’t be up to the quality of the Championship and struggle to cope with Carlos Corberán’s intense style of play.

The second point is his off-the-field problems that saw his contract terminated at Derby County. The Rams sacked their then captain Keogh, for gross misconduct in relation to his involvement in a car crash. The crash led to sustained knee ligament damage for Keogh, which ruled him out for nearly a year and saw his then teammates Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence arrested. Lawrence was driving and crashed into a lamppost but both Bennett and Lawrence remained at the club, which some felt Keogh was made the scapegoat for as the other players were young and of more value to Derby should they wish to sell them in the future.

While the other side of the fanbase is not exactly jumping for joy at the signing of Keogh, they can understand the reasoning behind the move. The Terriers are suffering an injury crisis, particularly in defence that leaves Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Romoney Crichlow and Naby Sarr as their only fit first-team squad centre backs, although Álex Vallejo deputised in that position against Watford.

Long-term injuries to centre backs Richard Stearman and Christopher Schindler means that defensive cover is needed. Unlike when Stearman was signed last season on an 18-month deal, Keogh is only with Town until the end of the season and brings experience. We saw that experience first-hand against Millwall as Keogh came straight into the starting lineup and played 85 minutes and looked fairly comfortable.

Whatever side of the fence you sit on, we wanted to explore this signing in further detail. So we caught up with Derby fan podcast, Steve Bloomer’s Washing, to see how his time at the club came to an end as well as MK Dons fan podcast, The MK1 Podcast to see how Keogh has been performing.

Manager Carlos Corberán said: “He has the minutes in the legs and is ready to play. He's a centre-back that can play out from the back. He can add to the team. What we demand are things he's been doing." Photo source: HTAFC

What the clubs said

Given Keogh had only signed for MK Dons on a free in August, there was some surprise that he moved after only five months with the club. Their manager, Russell Martin, described it as a ‘tough loss’ for him. In a club statement, he said:

“It’s a tough loss for us because we're losing a very good player, he was really invested in what we were doing here but he weighed things up and made the decision to leave. I'm disappointed, but not with him on a personal level because I understand his desire to go and play at that level again.

“Letting someone go is not the be all and end all because that happens in football. We did get a good deal from it and the most important part is what we do next to replace him.”

It appears that Huddersfield Town understands some of the concerns around the transfer and have looked to highlight their reasoning. Huddersfield’s Head of Football Operations, Leigh Bromby. He said:

“We’ve suffered with an unusually high number of injures at centre back and Richard’s arrival adds depth to this position for the rest of the season… He’s got incredible knowledge of this division and that should be a big help to the likes of Rarmani Edmonds-Green and Romoney Crichlow on the pitch.”

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Millwall game, manager Carlos Corberán stressed the importance of signing Keogh. He said:

"We had a need to bring in a centre-back. For me, it was really, really necessary. We know that Crichlow and Edmonds-Green are both young players. The experience has been great for them.

"In Keogh, we have a player with a lot of experience. Without any doubt, he could come straight into the side. He has the minutes in the legs and is ready to play. He's a centre-back that can play out from the back. He can add to the team. What we demand are things he's been doing."

We don’t yet know how much a role Richard Keogh will play for The Terriers this season but the fact that Corberán chucked him straight in against Millwall suggest that he will be used regularly short-term.

Something Carlos used Christopher Schindler for in games before his injury, was as a substitute to help shore up the defence for the last half an hour and to help change formation to have three centre backs. Keogh started against Millwall but in regards to what his contribution for the rest of the season is when injured players return, we’ll have to wait and see.

In an interview with the club, Keogh said: “I want to help produce on the pitch, physically I feel really good, after the injury I’ve come back to a good level and performing well. I can help off the pitch too.” Photo source: HTAFC

What the player said

It’s not Keogh’s first time at the club, he joined The Terriers back in 2007 on a two-month loan spell. He also seems aware of the role he’s been brought in to do too, speaking in his first interview on Huddersfield’s official YouTube channel, he said:

“I think the Head Coach, Leigh (Bromby) and everyone here is trying to build the right model; that takes fantastic, hungry young players but also the glittering of experienced players that have been there, seen it and done it.

“I want to help produce on the pitch, physically I feel really good, after the injury I’ve come back to a good level and performing well. I can help off the pitch too. I’ve been that kind of guy and in that role at my previous clubs. It’s nice if you can do that because ultimately the team wins.

“If every individual is buying into it, which they are here, and you can add those little things to help them take their games to the next level, then that’s what I want to try and do. I want to make the team and everyone around me better.”

If Keogh can help provide experience to Edmonds-Green and Crichlow, and fans can see an improvement by supporting the youngsters on the pitch, then this could prove a useful temporary addition to Town’s depleted backline. If you look at Huddersfield’s starting XI against Watford, the average player age was 24.3 years, so maybe an occasional appearance from Keogh could help during the injury crisis at the club.

Chris, from Derby fan channel, Steve Bloomer’s Washing says he’s “glad to see that Keogh’s recovered, rehabilitated, and moved on with his career.” Photo source: Derby County

What fans have said

Keogh has 26 caps for the Republic of Ireland and made over 400 appearances in the Championship, with most of his league appearances coming during his time at Derby County. So, we wanted to find out more about his time at Derby and his exit, as well as his time at MK Dons.

Derby

We thought it made sense to start with the club he’s spent the most time at in his career, Derby County. So, Chris, from Derby fan channel, Steve Bloomer’s Washing, answered a few questions for us.

Can you tell us about Richard Keogh’s time at Derby and how he fared?

Where to start! It's difficult to give a short answer for a player who spent eight seasons at Pride Park and made 350+ appearances. He was signed by Nigel Clough in 2012 and quickly became first choice, then remained one of the first names on the teamsheet for the next seven years. He was made captain by several managers, won multiple 'Player of the Year' awards at Derby, and was an ever-present in Derby sides which reached the playoffs four times in six seasons - but he still divided our fanbase.

Some Derby fans haven't forgiven him for his failed clearance which led to QPR's last-minute winner in the 2014 playoff final, and he remained unfairly scapegoated since that game. He showed great character to recover mentally from that and improved markedly as a player in my view. Several centre back signings came and went, but the fact Keogh was relied on by so many Derby managers speaks volumes about his resilience and general reliability.

What do you think of the move? We saw that some Derby fans were hoping he would return to Pride Park.

I'm not surprised he's got a move back to the Championship - although I'm a little surprised he was so quick to leave MK Dons when they were the club who gave him another chance after the car crash injury.

Some Derby fans were talking about a return simply because of our lack of depth at centre back - Keogh's replacement Mike te Weirik (signed by Phillip Cocu) never settled and has just returned to Holland, and Curtis Davies has a long term injury. There's been too much 'water under the bridge' for Mel Morris to consider taking Keogh back though.

What have been his highlights at Derby?

Playing for Derby during four playoff campaigns - even if none ended in promotion. Part of Keogh's appeal was his durability - he played every minute of every game under Nigel Clough in 2012/13, started every league game under Frank Lampard in 2018/19, and was an ever-present every season in between. In the Lampard season, he played 65 games for club and country and hit 300 Derby County appearances - a milestone reached by fewer than 30 Rams players. He scored the winning penalty in an FA Cup 3rd round replay at Southampton under Lampard, but saved arguably his best contribution for late on - a barnstorming charge out of defence at Elland Road, before playing a 1-2 and assisting Jack Marriott for the winning goal in Derby's historic playoff semi-final second leg win.

We can’t avoid asking about the controversial end to his time at Derby. He was injured in a car crash after Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence were arrested for drink driving and Keogh saw his contract terminated. Can you tell us a little bit more about how that affected the club, fans and his legacy at Derby? Were you sad to see it end that way?

After giving so many years' service to Derby, for Keogh's time to end the way it did was ridiculous, incredibly sad and embarrassing for him personally. Just like his playing career, Keogh's exit also divided opinion - some felt Mel Morris unfairly sacked a loyal player (as Lawrence and Bennett ended up in court but were later rehabilitated at Derby), others felt Keogh's dismissal was just, given he was captain at the time, should have led by example and that he also reportedly turned down the chance to stay on vastly reduced wages. Keogh formally appealed his sacking with the club (which was rejected), but also took his dismissal to an employment tribunal, which he has reportedly won, causing further embarrassment for the club. A lot of Derby fans believe he completely tarnished his legacy with the way he left. Everyone makes mistakes and Keogh paid an incredibly high price for his, but I'm glad to see he's recovered, rehabilitated, and moved on with his career.

It’s been a while since he played for Derby but what will he bring to Huddersfield?

Consistency, despite some of the mistakes Derby fans would point to. In his later years at Derby, he also became much better at bringing the ball out - with incredible results at Leeds as described above. He's a more progressive defender than people give him credit for, always looking to pass forward quickly, and is more than just a 'head it and kick it' physical centre back. Yes, there are occasional lapses, but all Championship defenders make mistakes - the ones that don't end up in the Premier League. He reads the game well, is decent in the air and brave.

MK Dons

Liam Connolly from MK Dons fan channel, The MK1 Podcast, spoke to And He Takes That Chance to give us more insight on Richard Keogh has been performing for the club since his injury. He’s what he had to say:

How has Richard Keogh performed at MK Dons?

Keogh has been a part of the spine of this MK Dons side since joining in the summer. It is rare that he has missed a game as the central centre back in our typical 3-5-2 setup and has brought real leadership and organisation to a backline that has looked lost without him. Whilst he faced some underserved criticism around November for a perceived run of poor performances, those claims were quickly debunked and the former Derby man showed his class, which saw the Dons put together a great run of results.

Some were concerned regarding Keogh's injury history when he first joined the Dons but the centre back has proved his resilience to such, playing 18 league games since joining in the summer and the one Papa John's Trophy match.

What do you think of the move? Are you surprised or disappointed?

With Keogh signing a two-year contract with the Dons, it is a surprise to see him leave after just six months. Even the gaffer Russ Martin echoed those thoughts. However, for a Championship club to come calling for Keogh's services, especially at this stage in his career is rare so for him to take that opportunity is no surprise whatsoever. Disappointing to lose Keogh of course, but not surprised at all.

What have been his highlights at MK Dons? How would you sum up his time at the club?

With Keogh's time at the club being so short, it is tough to recall particular highlights. In terms of a summary of his time, it was one of Keogh showing his natural leadership and excellence on the pitch. Some, now he is about to move on will say he treated the club as a stepping stone which they are in full right to do. But to have that quality of player in the third tier is a luxury and the same could very well happen to some of our other talents.

Do you think he can make an immediate impact with Huddersfield?

I believe with your injury situation at that position, and the likely six-figure fee spent on him then yes, I think Keogh will have too. With Huddersfield being where they are in the table, 9 points off the playoff positions, Keogh's experience could be vital in a potential push up the table. Not only does Keogh know the league inside out but also has three Players' Player of the Year awards to his name at Derby and lead that 2018-19 Derby side all the way to Wembley. He is no mug and would be more than capable of the role Corberán needs him for.

Based on what you’ve seen of him, do you think he can still cut it in the Championship?

Yes, most definitely. Especially for the role that Corberán needs him for.

Anything else you want to add?

There seems to have been a lot of negative backlash from Terriers fans of this signing, for on-the-field and off-the-field reasons. All I say is try and judge Keogh for what he does on it for you. That may be difficult for some. Some Dons fans had similar reactions to Keogh signing and were made to eat their own words and I would not be shocked if the same happened here. From comments from MK Dons players and staff, he has been ever the professional since joining and has just wanted to play football again. He's not the loanee prospect you once had.

Keogh has 26 caps for the Republic of Ireland but the car crash has effectively ended his Ireland career and hasn’t played for his country since. Photo source: Irish Mirror

Summary

The criticisms of the Richard Keogh transfer are fair, you can be unhappy about Huddersfield signing someone who has been involved in a drink driving scandal, just as you can be upset that you think that the club are not investing in the squad or signing a player of a higher calibre.

Without going into the details, The Terriers have signed people with criminal convictions before. Last season, the club’s first choice right-back for most of the campaign, Danny Simpson, had previously been found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend. It should be noted that we’re not comparing the two offences as similar and this isn’t the space to debate players’ past, but if you object morally to these signings, then you’re absolutely entitled to do so.

On the pitch, at the time of writing, we only have one performance at Huddersfield to judge him on, minus his two-month loan spell in 2007, 14 years ago. So it’s hard to judge a player for his on the pitch performances when we only have his 85 minutes in a Town shirt in the defeat to Millwall.

Regardless of how you think the club is being run, this transfer is low risk. He’s only joined on a deal until the end of the season, unlike last year when the club were desperate to sign Stearman to help stay up and committed to an 18-month deal. Keogh adds experience to a depleted defence and while he may not be a match winner, he can certainly help contribute to a Town team that is going through a rough patch at the moment.

If there is no extension to Keogh’s deal, this short-term deal for a defender looks understandable and with no obvious alternatives out there in the market with the same circumstances, the only realistic option. The wider point is looking ahead to the huge transfer window in the summer, big contracts are up and judging from the last few games, strength in depth is sorely needed. Whether a signing like Keogh will cut it when the big wage earners are off the book, the jury remains out.

How do you think Richard Keogh will do at Town? Let us know in the comments.

“Judge Keogh for what he does on the pitch”: The Rundown on new signing Richard Keogh