Source: Daily_Mail
Koren set for showdown talks with Di Matteo over 'selfish' blast
Robert Koren is set for talks with Roberto Di Matteo after being branded 'selfish' by the West Brom manager for refusing to shake his hand when substituted during Tuesday night's win over Scunthorpe. [LNB]Koren laid on the opening goal for Roman Bednar after being recalled to the starting line-up but was replaced by Simon Cox after 65 minutes.[LNB] Unhappy: West Bromwich Albion's Robert Koren (left)[LNB] West Brom 2 Scunthorpe 0: Redeemed Bednar puts Albion top of the tableWest Ham striker Nouble joins West Brom on month-long loan deal The visibly upset Slovenia captain stormed past assistant head coach Eddie Newton before refusing Di Matteo's offer of a handshake on his way to the bench.[LNB] Koren's Hawthorns future was already in doubt and his agent, Zoran Krneta, said: 'I'm sure Robert and the manager will have a private conversation today but I'm surprised that the manager called him selfish and questioned his dedication to the team.[LNB] 'Robert has played over 150 games for West Bromwich Albion since arriving on a free. I would say that over 80 per cent of those games he has played out of position. He always gives 100 per cent on the field for his team-mates. He's also captain of Slovenia and going to the World Cup. In my view this is a team player.[LNB] 'To not shake the manager's hand was not a reflection on the team or the player coming on but a message to the manager, no one else. I'm not saying what he did was right and I'm sure he'll apologise.'[LNB]Disappointed: Manager Roberto Di Matteo[LNB] However, perhaps there is a deeper issue that the manager needs to discuss with Robert. There were several offers in the January window, from the UK and abroad, to take Robert on loan and they were turned down. Perhaps Robert feels that its time to move on as he feels he can't give anymore than he is doing for WBA.'[LNB] West Brom manager Di Matteo said: 'I haven't had the chance to speak to him yet but we've had it before when a player wasn't very happy about coming off.[LNB] 'It's the kind of reaction you have when you're still full of adrenalin in your body.[LNB] 'It's disappointing because I always believe it's a selfish act.[LNB] 'You're disrespecting the player that is coming on because the player on the bench works hard in training as well.[LNB] 'It's a bit of a selfish act really. You should think about your team, not about yourself.'[LNB] Koren may now struggle to keep his place in the starting line-up for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round trip to Reading. [LNB] West Brom 2 Scunthorpe 0: Redeemed Bednar puts Albion top of the tableWest Ham striker Nouble joins West Brom on month-long loan deal[LNB] [LNB]
