RTID matchday magazine caught up midfielder Paul Keegan before the Burnley game and he talks about his place in the team.
What has the start of the season been like for you?
The start of the season has gone okay. I think there has been a lot of games where we might have had three points and we’ve ended up with a draw but I think we’ve played some good football and I think we’ve surprised a lot of people with what we’ve been doing and how we’ve been playing. But I’ve really enjoyed it, I’ve got into the team and I’ve kept my place for a few games, hopefully I can keep it for a few more but obviously it all counts on if we win games or not.
You even scored a goal that wasn’t to be, and got sent off in the game. So it’s been a weird start for you as well?
Yeah, strange little game that against Charlton. I still count the goal, not the sending off but no it was disappointing and frustrating like that to score a goal like that, and even for the whole game to be honest. We’re 3-0 up and going well and then the game gets called off. I think that’s what killed us more.
You’re one of the players that was with the last manager and were injured. Did you ever expect that you’d get into this team because there are a lot of good midfielders in the mix?
Yeah there is, I think it’s bringing out the best in all of us. Everyone is fighting for competition. There’s plenty of competition for every place and I think that’s what you have to have in a good team. It’s pushed us all on to improve and hopefully we can take that out on to the pitch.
Coming back from the injuries that you had last year, pre season was very important to you. How did you find it?
It was tough. We have done a lot of running and we have worked very hard during pre season and I think that’s what has put us into a good start. It’s just a matter of winning games to be honest with you, that’s all we need to do. We’ve been playing well, scoring goals and creating chances. We’ve been in the last 5 or 10 minutes conceding sloppy goals and I think that’s because the way we play, with such high intensity, those last 5 or 10 minutes, we obviously are getting a little bit tired. But I think we’ll turn those draws into wins and I think the pre season we have had will stand well for us throughout the season.
Is there a particular area that Paul Dickov said to you that he wants you to do?
Not particularly no, I think me and Ritchie in there compliment each other. I know Ritchie likes to get forward as well to link up the play. I think we’ve seen that, obviously we played a different formation against Forest, and Ritchie got more forward and more on the ball. I think it’s just the balance between the two of us, if he moves forward then I stay back or if I go forward then he’ll sit there and stay, so I think we’re old enough and wise enough to know when someone’s gone the other one will sit but I enjoy playing with Ritchie in the middle as he is a good player.
And, you scored that goal, do you look to score more? Has the manager said get up there you can score?
Yes, always. I think if you can add goals to your game then it’s an important part for the team. Players from all over the pitch should be able to score goals, not just the strikers or the wingers. Like Rob Jones adds goals to the team and if you can get me and Ritchie doing it you know, you can always have goals being scored from anywhere on the pitch and I think that’s what makes a good team.
The full interview with Paul Keegan is in the Leicester City program sill on sale in the Rovers Club Shop.