3/1 To Win
Richard Keogh felt Derby County’s 0-0 draw at Hull City was a point gained - and he was quick to praise another impressive defensive display.
The Rams’ fine December form in the Sky Bet Championship continued with an away point at the KCOM Stadium in the annual Boxing Day fixture.
In a game of few clear opportunities, Derby produced another solid defensive showing on Humberside to keep their fifth clean sheet in succession.
The Rams are unbeaten in eight away from home, a run stretching back to mid-September, and sit just two points off second spot in the table.
Keogh, who once again impressed at the heart of the defence alongside Curtis Davies, believes Gary Rowett’s side have proved they are capable of grinding out results when they not at their best.
He told RamsTV: “I think it is a point gained for us, definitely.
“We knew it would be tough for us coming to a team under new management so it’s another big point; I know Hull have been struggling in the league but on paper they have some quality players.
“We’ve kept five clean sheets in a row and that’s a very positive statistic for the team. If we can keep doing that we will continue to give ourselves a great opportunity to win football matches.
“You never argue at a clean sheet away from home so we’ll take that and move on to the next game. We weren’t at our best, it is safe to say, but the old saying is ‘if you can’t win it, don’t lose it’.”
Keogh believes the Rams are showing plenty of desire as a team, from back to front, to keep the ball out of their net.
Derby have not conceded a goal from open play since early November when they were beaten 4-2 by Reading at Pride Park.
Since then, Rowett’s men have conceded twice in nine matches - with both goals coming from set plays against Fulham and Ipswich Town.
The Rams’ skipper said: “We had a few opportunities in the first half and they had a couple of big chances in the second half, especially the one for Jon Toral which rebounded off myself and Curtis Davies into his path, but as I said it’s a point gained for sure.
“Our quality wasn’t fantastic at times but you can’t fault our energy, work rate and desire to keep the ball out of the net from back to front.”
Derby’s busy festive period will continue with a trip to Ipswich Town on Saturday, before welcoming Sheffield United to Pride Park Stadium on New Year’s Day.
Keogh said: “It’s a busy time and we have some more tough games coming up which we’re all looking forward to.
“We’ll recover well, as we always do, and go again. We’re at Ipswich on Saturday and that will be another tough game; Mick McCarthy is a very good manager and they have an honest group of players.”
