BIG SUPRISE FOR YOU THEN, YOU LITTLE GIRL.
Koren: Let's do it our way
Posted on: Thu 20 Dec 2007
ROBERT Koren has urged his team-mates not to get knocked off their stride in Saturday's Britannia Stadium battle with Stoke (ko 3pm).
The Baggies climbed to the top of the table thanks to a stylish 4-2 win over promotion rivals Charlton on Saturday.
And the Slovenia international insists Albion should not try and match the fourth-placed Potters' more direct approach and focus on what they know best.
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"I have played against Stoke twice since I've been here and we know how they play," said Koren.
"They try to play tough football without mistakes.
"They don't try to play the ball around so you can't wait for them to make mistakes because of trying to play too much football.
"They are focused on going straight to the strikers with long balls and pushing forward and we need to cope with that and think about ourselves.
"When we get the ball we need to play around and pass it.
"We are full of confidence at the moment and all the players are in good form.
"We are top of the table and we want to stay there.
"We are always trying to stay focused on ourselves.
"You still need to pay some attention to the opposition.
"We need to cope with the way Stoke play but when we get the ball we need to play our game."
Tony Mowbray faces a selection dilemma in attack with Kevin Phillips back from injury and Ishmael Miller edging closer to fitness to compete with Roman Bednar and Craig Beattie.
But former Lillestrom midfielder Koren has faith in all four to do the job and has also backed the Baggies midfield to keep contributing to a 46-goal Championship tally that is already well on its way to matching last term's impressive 81-goal haul.
"As well as Phillips and Bednar we also have Ishmael Miller, who is also a great striker," he added.
"We have midfielders who can also score goals like Zolly has in the last two games.
"It's not really about one player but of course it's good to have Kevin back with all his experience.
"I hope he's alright now and he will stay free of injury from now until the end of the season because he is really important for our team.
"It doesn't matter who scores the goals, the most important thing is that we are doing well, winning games and that we stay near the top of the table.
"I think everyone thought when Ish and Kev got injured the team would struggle.
"Roman jumped in and showed he is a great striker by scoring five in as many games.
"Beats scored a winning goal at Leicester.
"We have a big squad and that is important because when we have injuries and suspensions other players can come in.
"Everyone needs to be ready because the season is long and we're only halfway through.
"There will probably be more injuries to come.
"So far we have been like a family and everyone has been ready."
