Party Hull! theory time;
Bruce has deliberately done this. He said the other week that Koren was one of the better players we have, and therefore he didn't want to lose him. This keeps the fans onside.
He's then revealed in this press conference, publicly, that there's a release trigger. He hasn't done this by accident. It's an invitation to offers.
I think it's all part of the bigger Bruce plan to change the City style of play. I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks that all the neat & tidy passing stuff is all well and good, but that a direct style is what gets you out of the Championship.
The big, stocky players we're starting to see getting signed could be proof of this (subject to Faye joining too). And Bruce does have experience of getting promotion from this league.
If he removes Koren from the picture, acting like it's something beyond his control, he keeps the fans onside, whilst simultaneously freeing himself from having to make him the focal point of the team. Koren is definitely most effective in the pocket behind the strikers, less so in other positions, and I think Bruce will dispense with that. He won't want to rely on one man so much.
If Koren goes, and he can make it seem like something beyond his control, he can more easily crack on with his own pre-planned system overhaul.
Reckon?
It's just a Party Hull! theory, and might well be a dollop of bullcrap.
Personally, I couldn't give a frig. I've always said, the ends justifies the means. Winning football, for me, is always the preference - no matter what it looks like. But, for the record, I still think Koren is class. I'll be gutted if he goes.
I just think, next season, we could see a marked change in our style.
Be prepared...
Bruce has deliberately done this. He said the other week that Koren was one of the better players we have, and therefore he didn't want to lose him. This keeps the fans onside.
He's then revealed in this press conference, publicly, that there's a release trigger. He hasn't done this by accident. It's an invitation to offers.
I think it's all part of the bigger Bruce plan to change the City style of play. I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks that all the neat & tidy passing stuff is all well and good, but that a direct style is what gets you out of the Championship.
The big, stocky players we're starting to see getting signed could be proof of this (subject to Faye joining too). And Bruce does have experience of getting promotion from this league.
If he removes Koren from the picture, acting like it's something beyond his control, he keeps the fans onside, whilst simultaneously freeing himself from having to make him the focal point of the team. Koren is definitely most effective in the pocket behind the strikers, less so in other positions, and I think Bruce will dispense with that. He won't want to rely on one man so much.
If Koren goes, and he can make it seem like something beyond his control, he can more easily crack on with his own pre-planned system overhaul.
Reckon?
It's just a Party Hull! theory, and might well be a dollop of bullcrap.
Personally, I couldn't give a frig. I've always said, the ends justifies the means. Winning football, for me, is always the preference - no matter what it looks like. But, for the record, I still think Koren is class. I'll be gutted if he goes.
I just think, next season, we could see a marked change in our style.
Be prepared...

