By Jon Colman

Last updated at 10:24, Friday, 10 October 2008

Richard Keogh insists Carlisle United’s besieged defenders can thrive in front of the cameras at MK Dons tomorrow – and allow him to taste victory for the first time this season.

Working hard: Richard Keogh, right, beats Rochdale's Lee Thorpe to the ball in United’s midweek defeat at Rochdale. ‘We are striving to put it right,’ says the central defender

Keogh has featured in the Blues’ back four in three of their four straight League One defeats and Tuesday’s penalty shoot-out exit of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Rochdale.

But the August signing believes the chance to play in front of the Sky Sports cameras at stadium:mk (kick-off 12.15pm) could inspire John Ward’s men to turn their dwindling campaign around.

“You never know when your season can change,” said the centre-half. “If we can express ourselves in front of the cameras and get a positive result there, we can kick on.

“We know the fans are a bit uptight and upset at the moment, but no more so than the lads in the dressing room.

“We are striving to put it right. Hopefully the fans will stick with us and it will come.”

United have shipped two goals in each of the last five games, as Ward’s men tumbled to 11th in League One and fell out of the JPT against League Two opposition.

That has led to fierce criticism of the back four and Ben Williams, although the goalkeeper responded with a superb performance at Spotland.

Keogh, however, believes United’s rearguard can defy its critics tomorrow – and disagrees with fans who claim he is too similar in style to Danny Livesey to forge a successful central defensive pairing.

“Everyone who watches us is entitled to their opinion,” said the former Eire Under-21 captain. “But me and Danny have got no problem.

“We get on very well and we feel we are getting a good partnership and a good understanding now. We’re confident we can do well, stop these goals going in and push Carlisle United up the table.

“At times everyone just looks at the back four as soon as the goals go in. Fair enough – it’s our job to defend and people judge us for that. But it’s a team game. We’re our own worst critics and we want to turn it round as much as anyone.

“Ben had a fantastic game on Tuesday. Fair play to him, it shows what sort of character he is. It’s good for him to get a great performance for the team and hopefully he can take that on now.

“In a funny way, I’ve been quite pleased with my personal performances. But it’s not nice because we’re losing games and you don’t feel good about that.”

Tomorrow sees United’s inaugural match against MK Dons since they controversially assumed Wimbledon’s identity in 2004. They are a club on the rise after last season’s double of the League Two title and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, and are eighth in League One under new boss Roberto Di Matteo.

“They have been on a decent run, but we’ve got to be confident going into the game,” added Keogh. “If we’re not, there’s no point.

“As soon as you get that defeatist mentality, people sense that, and then it’s hard to come back from.

“The mood is upbeat, especially after our second half performance at Rochdale. We’ll give it a right go and hopefully we’ll get something positive.”

•  United’s youth team host Wrexham tomorrow in the league cup (Gillford Park, 12pm).

First published at 09:21, Friday, 10 October 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk