http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/hullcity#axzz2NoeeZEN1 Personally think after Koren went missing during the Forest game he needs to be either dropped or rested.
Boyd's definitely the better player and should be one of the first names on the team sheet, but whether or not Koren plays in midfield depends really. I think if we had two Meylers or two Quinns then there'd be no place for Koren any more but we don't so it's either him, Evans or Bruce really.
On current form, Boyd. Koren needs a team building around him, allowing him the freedom to roam. I dont see us doing that, and I dont see him being here next season.
He used to be the star player of our attack, which made it worth building the team around him. Nowadays we've got proper strikers, proper wide men and proper midfielders, so there's really no need to start disrupting that balance and harmony just to create positions for Koren to play in. It really is quite spectacular just how far he's fallen in about 3-4 months to the point that even his passing and shooting are poor now.
I missed the forest game due to needing to travel overseas. Boyd is a very good acquisition for us and will continue to get better as we play him up front. I still believe that Koren is something special and has a level of control, calmness and can pick a pass like no one else we have got from midfield. I accept he has been less consistent over the last 8 weeks or so, some of that down to being played too far up the field. SB needs to get him back on track - not being dragged up front and letting him settle back into his role in the club is part of it - and I think having Boud and Koren in the team will be a massive asset for us. We've got a frighteningly good squad on paper injuries aside. I'm really looking forward to getting back home for the run in as I believe it's going to be another exciting milestone in the clubs growth and history. UTT
he only had one shot on Saturday, the free kick which the goal keeper saved. He was our star player last season but we have much better players now. I think the pitch isn't doing him any favours and he's played a lot of games. He never did work hard, in fact this season his work rate is better. I think Meyler, Quinn and an holding midfielder is a better balanced midfield for an away match, so Koren should be on the bench. I expect him to be mostly on the bench from now on, coming on for the last 30 minutes or so. He's still had a decent season though, scoring 8 goals while playing out of position.
When he came here, all he did was walk about and have the occasional shot. He was very lazy but because he scored goals it was acceptable.
The other question is, what happens when Fryatt and Aluko come back into the frame? I presume that if everyone were fit and in form it could well be that Fryatt, Gedo and Aluko fight it out for the two "strikers" berths and Boyd may well drop back into an attacking midfield role, leaving Koren on the bench to come on to change things if it's not working or someone else needs a rest. The advantage with Boyd is that supposedly he can play a number of roles very well, whereas Koren is good in one and only ok in others. Anyway, whatever, it will be very exciting to have a situation where SB has all of his attacking options open to him!
to be fair to Koren I haven't seen a whole lot of good from Boyd. He's scored a few which gives him the edge but he's slow and doesn't exactly seem the explosive kind. However I think Koren has been off his game and "is done" for almost the whole season. People loved him for his goals but other than that he didn't offer much.
Aluko starts, no question. Personally, I'd play Fryatt ahead of any of our other strikers too, but Bruce hasn't really seen him play yet, so may have a different opinion. Koren stepped out of everything on Saturday, I don't like that in a run like we've got now, so I'd drop him to the bench.
I thought his work-rate improved drastically at the beginning of this season and that he was becoming a proper all-round midfielder rather than just one you can depend on in attack. He then did OK playing out of position over Christmas, you could see the position didn't suit him, be he kept getting on the end of crosses and scoring. It's just the last couple of months that have worried me though, his work rate is gone completely, he won't contest a ball that's 90-10 in his favour never mind a 50-50 and his technical ability has suffered too. That last part I can't explain.
You'd really drop Gedo if everyone was fit? I think he's great. He's what we've been missing for about 3 years now.
He started brilliantly, but looks a bit knackered now, I think Fryatt is the best finisher at the club(despite the amount of touches he needs), stick him alongside Aluko, with Boyd behind them and we'll be rocking.
I agree Gedo has run out of gas, was surprised Simpson didn't start the last match. A fully fit Gedo is obviously first-choice but it's a bit worrying he has run out of steam just at the most vital part of the season. As for Koren and Boyd, I like flair players but Koren seems to be a bit flat at the moment. Glad I'm not the manager as there are a few sticky selection issues at the moment especially if Fryatt is on the way back
And because he could split open a defence with a single pass and is a massive influence to the players around him. Regular International experience (World Cup 2010 too), 2 previous promotions to the Premier League and is in his 30's. Yes he's lazy and needs to maybe run around more but there's no denying that he's been integral to our team for the last 2 Seasons. Maybe his time as a regular in our squad is coming to an end but he doesn't deserve the criticism that he's getting lately. Now we have Boyd, we have a younger version of Koren with more enthusiasm ready for the Premier League but Koren hasn't achieved what he has by being lazy and useless...
Fryatt/Gedo for one spot Aluko/Boyd for the other Boyd/Koren for the attacking role in the midfield at home.
As Buckingham suggests in his article Boyd is a far bigger contributor than Koren who is well past his best. In addition to scoring a great goal against Forest ,and having two other terrific shots well saved, Boyd was all over the field while Koren was non-existent. Next season it would be the speed and trickery of Gedo and Aluko up front for me...both 20 goal scorers in this division and Boyd in the hole. Fryatts fitness will be a big question mark but he could be good off the bench. Koren will probably request a move. Simpson may get another contract depending on whose available to bring in. Can't see Prossie staying.
Yes, but hopefully we won't be in this division next season A little o/t I can't understand why Fathi isn't even getting considered for the bench a.t.m. Our Egyptian friends all rave over him and reckon he's the best of their 3 countrymen playing for us, so what's happened to him? Is he just unfit or injured....or is he not performing in training?
Thank God! Someone else who thinks like me! I've been lambasted for my "What's all the fuss about?" attitude toward Boyd by my circle of friends. I like the way he is awkward to the opposition, the way the ball seems to be tied to his feet and his undoubted ability to hit the onion bag. But he is slow, gets caught in possession and is probably at least as bad as Koren when it comes to tackling. Said it before, many times this season, but we STILL need a big nasty ball winner in midfield........Yes, an Ashbee.
