(Photo by Dennis Goodwin)
By David Bates
BEHIND every great man is a great woman, and if MK Dons are to break their catastrophic home hoodoo they will hope the adage proves true for recently-married forward Kieran Agard.
The former Bristol City star played 28 times last term as the Robins earned promotion to the Championship but was offloaded to the Dons, becoming their record signing in the process, though the fee remains undisclosed.
The 27-year-old immediately earned plaudits from new manager Karl Robinson with two goals on debut against Millwall in mid-August. His double hauled them back from two down to earn a much-needed draw.
Then, injury struck and a run of seven games without a goal left question marks as to whether the record-signing tag was hanging too heavily around his neck, preventing him from becoming the focal-point of an attack that has failed to inspire a home win in seven months.
Thankfully, two goals in two games against Oldham and Peterborough looked to have sparked the striker back to life.
And, despite the upheaval of a summer move away from Bristol, he and new wife Latoyah, who is from Manchester, are settled and desperate for Agard to succeed at Stadium MK.
“The stability of marriage has helped. When I moved I had to take both of us into consideration,” Agard explained.
“She liked Bristol, but we're in Milton Keynes now and she is a bit closer to London – and it is on the same rail line as Manchester, so she can get back to Manchester easily.
“We're really enjoying ourselves here.
“What happened at Bristol happened and is gone now.
“I'm playing for MK Dons – I love the ambition of the club and I have played against them a lot of times. The chairman, manager and supporters have been so welcoming to me. I am just happy to be here playing football and scoring goals.
“Knowing that my other half is happy gives you the platform to go on and enjoy your football.
“She is used to my life now. I need my rest and she doesn't let me in the kitchen. She cooks me the right food, she knows what I like to have and what I don't. I am quite strict on my diet. It is just healthy eating and living.”
Robinson has suggested that January signings may be needed if the Dons are to make it out of League One this year, but Agard doesn't see that as a threat to his position.
He did, though, admit the seven-month winless streak at stadium:mk is irritating for all involved at the Buckinghamshire club.
“I am a confident person, and anyone that comes in is going to strengthen the squad. It is healthy competition and it is only going to be better for the team,” Agard added.
“The losing streak is frustrating, but we're all in the same boat and we all stick together. We are sure things will change.
“The performances have been good. Sometimes, luck hasn't been on our side, but I am sure that will turn.” And no one, according to Agard, is more focused on improving the Dons' fortunes than the man himself, insisting his price tag is something to be argued between managers and chairmen, rather than those out on the field.
He explained: “The pressure comes with the territory of being the most expensive player, but I don't determine what people pay for me. I just come in and try to do what I do: play football and do what I can to help the team.”
