Hull City: Contract talks with club captain Robert Koren on hold until end of season NO NEW DEAL YET: Tigers boss Steve Bruce will sit down with Robert Koren at the end of the season to discuss his future Hull City club captain Robert Koren must wait until the end of the season before learning if he will be offered the chance to remain at the KC Stadium. Koren's contract is due to expire this summer but, as the weeks tick down until its conclusion, he is yet to receive any assurances over his long-term future. Without a Premier League start since a 1-0 defeat to Norwich on January 18 and overlooked for the last two rounds of the FA Cup, Koren has fallen significantly down the pecking order in 2014. The timing of his dip does little to boost his chances of earning a fifth season with the Tigers and invites an inevitable question mark over his place in manager Steve Bruce's plans for 2014-15. Perhaps tellingly, Koren and his representatives are yet to discuss the prospect of an extended stay at the KC. While Bruce last week stated his desire to open talks with forward Matty Fryatt in the coming weeks, he could offer no such certainty when asked about Koren's future. The settled Slovenian is understood to be keeping his options open but will have his concerns over a lack of match action. Koren, who turns 34 in September, has spoken of a desire to carry on playing for at least another two seasons and could be tempted by interest from the Championship, rather than a move to Europe. "It's a similar situation as Matty (Fryatt). They're just going to have to be patient and I think they understand that," said Bruce. "We'll make a decision and see what we've got to do. He's been a really good player for this club over the years and he's been terrific in my time here. "He's still in wonderful nick for his age. It was always going to be difficult for him when we got in the Premier League. If we're going to be successful, you need a squad of players. "He might look at it and think he wants to go somewhere and play regularly. He's a very good player and when you get to his age, you might be looking for regular football. I'll have that conversation with Rob when the time's right." Koren is second only to Paul McShane on the list of City's longest servants after joining on a free transfer from West Brom in the summer of 2010. The midfielder has gone on to make a total of 149 appearances for the Tigers under three different managers, completing a personal hat-trick of promotions out of the Championship 12 months ago. A fall out of favour in the Premier League and a broken foot have limited him to just nine starts this season and Bruce may favour a fresh option for next season. Koren became one of City's top earners when signing a new and improved deal in 2012 and though new arrivals have surpassed him, those wages could be deemed best diverted elsewhere. As well as Fryatt and Koren, Bruce must also decide the futures of another quartet of out-of-contract stars. Steve Harper is likely to remain after a positive season, but that would spell the end for fellow goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic. Veteran defender Abdoulaye Faye, who has made just three league appearances, is another likely to leave. Joe Dudgeon, though, is set to be handed a short-term deal as he continues his fight against a long-standing knee injury. The 23-year-old played an hour in a behind-closed-doors game last week but continues to see his troublesome knee treated with kid gloves. http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull...ptain-Robert/story-21027830-detail/story.html
Agreed, he looked a bright prospect. With regards Koren, he's been a great servant to the club, but given his impact this season (Fulham at home aside), I won't shed a tear if he leaves. I think we need higher quality to aim upwards and to do that there can be no room for sentiment. of course, if he scores the winner in the FA Cup final, he should be given a 5 year deal on £40,000 and given the freedom of Kingston Upon Hull.
If he gets fit he's a better option than Figgy, mind you at the minute I would be even with a dodgy hip
Glad you're kidding - that's almost reminiscent of a 4.5 year deal on £45,000 a week and the freedom of the Weir bar despite having no knees.
We have a handful of players who have contributed towards the success of the club but sadly there is no sentiment at this level. No Premier Club will come in for any of them but they should find positions with Championship/League 1 Clubs where they will see their names consistently on First Team starting lists. Anyone can see that we need some strength in our depth but it depends on our War-Chest and Mr Allam's bean-counters. If we qualify for Europe, even if only for a handful of games, it could well be the 'calling bird' we need to lure some quality loan players crying out to show what they can do but cannot break into their own Club's first team. We need some investment so I don't think the "Tigers" deal is dead in the water just yet. Incidentally, when I visit the Asian Restaurants (quite regularly) here in my home town of Traralgon in 'Country Victoria, Oz" they go Ape-**** when I wear one of my many shirts which has a "Tiger" emblazoned on the front. I know it has some symbolic meaning for them but we have 5 Asian Restaurant's and the reaction is the same at each one. Maybe Mr Allam has a point I really don't know.
Roo's getting us lined up for sponsorship - five Aussie Asian restaurants. You know it makes sense.......
I suspect he will get an improved deal once he has. Joe has time on his side and has ability which we need. Koren is perfect for the europa league and cups for sure. But he has to face it that his legs have gone as a starter in the PL.
Koren has been brilliant for us but it's time for him to move on in the summer. He deserves regular football, can get that in the Championship and we could use the squad space and wage to bring in someone to have more impact in the first team.
**** me first Aluko not good enough for the Premier League and now this, I really don't understand some people's complete lack of logic.
Wanted by Brighton and Millwall apparently. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ed-Championship-rivals-Brighton-Millwall.html
First of all I personally could not care less about the name change - I have, and always will, refer to Hull City as "City" regardless - I am just telling you of my experience here in a little place 200 miles from Melbourne in Country Victoria, and you have to make a Federal Case out of it. Sone Aluko, imo, is a very good larker at 'Championship' Level but is out of his depth at Premier League level (imo) regardless of the fact that he scored a spectacular goal against Newcastle and he had an above average game against Fulham - a 'Championship' team if ever I saw one. If Tony Pulis (or anyone else) offers 7 million quid for Aluko I will personally strip naked outside Paragon Station, stick a Didgeridoo up my backside and f@rt "Falling in love with you" whilst whistling Waltzing Matilda. I made the same promise to all the Jay Simpson supporters a couple of seasons ago when they kept telling me he would 'come good' given a chance - he was given many chances and most certainly did not come good. He now can't make the first team sheet for his team in Thailand. I wish Aluko (and anyone wearing a Hull City shirt) well as they all go on to the pitch determined to give their best for their Club, team-mates and supporters but Aluko's fan Club are getting a bit 'over-the-top' in 'bigging him up' all the time. I respect your opinions and commend your support but I haven't seen anything in Aluko that places him anywhere but average at best for this league.
What name-change? No, he's not. If we're in it, we're in it to win it. We need someone who can play 90+ minutes. Good lad, but all good things come to an end. TWNT! I think he has quality, but if others can stifle it then . . . . . . I think you argue a good point and it is very much up to Some Aluko to prove you wrong. The same can be said about Figs; he was doing okay and then fell into a quality black-hole.
I can't see Bruce offering RoKo a new contract. He's made a terrific contribution to our progress in recent years and is a dedicated professional who deserves another couple of years of playing time. But I can't see him fitting into our MF plans next season and a club like Brighton would provide him the opportunity to play at a level he could handle. As for Aluko, on this seasons showing I tend to agree with Roo that he has not been effective in the Prem with the possible exception of the second half at Fulham. The next few weeks and his performance at Wembley could well determine his future with us but right now I'd say the jury is out. If West Ham offer 5 mill. we may have better options.
