West Brom 2, Ipswich 0: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict

Aug 24 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

SOMETIMES things fall into place quite conveniently.

For Jonathan Greening’s departure might well bring the best out of someone else.

Albion’s loss, where Greening is concerned, could become the club’s gain with Robert Koren.

For too long, Koren has been the bridesmaid.

While others took centre stage, the willing and smiling Slovenian would be shunted out to the left or the right. Trying to look happy.

He was straining to be given a central role when Tony Mowbray was boss but, all too often, he had to watch Greening, Borja Valero, Kim Do-Heon – Kim, for goodness sake – or others take their place ahead of him.

If there was a gap to fill on the right or left, then ‘Roko’ was your man. A man for all seasons. Don’t worry about it, Koren is a professional – he’ll grit his teeth, smile and get on with it.

He won’t admit it but all of this messing around harmed him.

Koren is a central midfielder so Greening’s loss shouldn’t necessarily be mourned. We should, perhaps, be raising a glass to Slovenia’s captain.

Circumstances lent themselves to this on Saturday.

Graham Dorrans’ over-zealous challenge at Peterborough and Albion’s decision to accept the now customary (but bizarre) loan-to-permanent deal from Fulham for Greening granted Koren his licence to fill the role he is a natural for.

He took the opportunity well.