Koren’s key for going up says Brunt
Thursday 28th January 2010, 11:00AM GMT.
Albion winger Chris Brunt has tipped recalled promotion veteran Robert Koren to play a key role in firing the Baggies back to the Premier League.
Brunt reckons Koren’s experience of winning the Championship in 2008 could prove critical, after the Slovenia captain won back his place in his club’s starting line-up.
Koren’s Hawthorns future looked in doubt a fortnight ago after a struggle to secure regular football but an impressive return in the last three matches has left him targeting a second Baggies promotion.
Brunt said: “Roko is a quality player. He is captain of Slovenia and going to the World Cup, so he is a top player. It’s good to have him back in the side after a couple of injuries and niggles.
“And he has got a bit of experience from the last time we got promoted. Everybody wants to play games and Roko is at the stage of his career where he needs to be playing games with the World Cup coming up.
“So I can understand his frustration at not being in the team, but he’s had a couple of injuries and he has been patient, got himself back in the team and has played well in the last few games.
“If he keeps playing like that he can be a big player for us. Last time he did really well with his goals from midfield and his energy, he has shown all that in the last few games and hopefully he can push on and help us get back to the Premier League.”
The last three matches have also brought a successful return to the team for Roman Bednar, who is also a veteran of the 2008 and triumph.
Brunt believes the powerful Czech striker also has a big role to play in the second-half of the campaign, after struggling for sustained good form following his return from a summer drugs ban.
The wide man said: “Roman has been working his socks off in training and he has deserved his run in the team. Everybody knows the way he plays. He works really hard for the team.
“He had a few chances on Tuesday but he played his role really well.”
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must admitt hes been looking his oldself agen since he came back,that can only be good for us,and if you play like you can Brunty you will be a big player for us to,aye boing boing
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Hi see mr Mowbray is turning a 2 horse race in scotland into a 3 horse race,the natives are not happy,aye boing boing
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