THE last time Robert Koren was a Premier League footballer he was part of a West Bromwich Albion side
relegated back to the Championship within 12 months of winning promotion.
Style was allowed to reign awkwardly over substance during the 2008-09 campaign at the Hawthorns. The inevitable, ruthless result was a place at the foot of the table for Tony Mowbray's pretty side.
Koren has been made to wait for his second crack at the top flight, plying his trade in the Championship for four consecutive seasons, but the veteran midfielder has already seen enough to suggest the same grim fate will not befall Hull City under Steve Bruce.
Welcoming Stoke City to the KC Stadium this evening, knowing a sixth win of the season would propel them up to 10th, the Tigers are showing few of the frailties that betrayed Koren and West Brom five years ago. As well as accommodating both finesse and fight through an unfazed side, the Slovenian believes City's team spirit built up by promotion last term sets his current class apart.
"Unfortunately, at West Brom we didn't have the luck to stay up and we got relegated," said Koren, who was a near ever present for the Baggies in 2008-09.
"But this is a different story and different mentality in the club. The team spirit is good and we are looking forward to this challenge and are focused on our jobs.
"We are a relaxed group of lads and we enjoy playing and training together. That's something different.
"The concentration of the individual players here is of a higher standard. The manager is doing different things and it's more about getting the right results.
"Back then at West Brom, it was really focused on concentrating on playing good football. But in the end, that didn't help us.
"It's about results and staying in this league and everyone here is focused on their own job. Hopefully, we can keep going and get enough points to stay up."
Although Koren has become a master in escaping the Championship, completing his hat-trick of promotions in May as City skipper, there is a desire to enjoy the twilight years of his career in greater surroundings. At 33, he has learned the hard way what it will take.
"You need to be focused in every game and every game is three points," he added.
"Sometimes people think you might have a hard game and then you are winning. And then you are expected to win a game and you don't get the right result.
"You must go step by step and prepare yourself right all week, not get carried away and think too far forward and think we have achieved something.
"We know we are underdogs. We are working hard to stay in this league and so far, we have done well. So, we're full of confidence and hoping we can play well and stay in this league."
Koren has a vested interest in ensuring City do not allow their good work to slide. Having arrived in East Yorkshire to join a club in crisis following their own relegation in 2010, he played more times than any team-mate during City's three-year restoration. Free transfers come no better.
As one of the few to sample the famine that preceded the current feast, Koren takes satisfaction from what the club has become.
"If you go a couple of years back, the club was not in a good level. But with the new owners and manager, everything went the right way," said Koren, who has played 135 times for City and scored 26 goals.
"Now things are in the right place, we just need to make sure we are doing the right things. This club is moving in the right direction.
"In such a short time, a lot of things have changed and I am proud I can be part of this."
That brings Koren around to the contention currently seeping out of the City boardroom. During the last two home games there have been vocal protests against
Assem Allam's plans to rebrand the club as Hull Tigers in time for 2014-15. After the Football Association were informed of the proposal this week, more of the same is expected this evening.
"I just think everyone needs to respect each other. People need to make a decision now and they will make a decision," said Koren.
"At the end of the day, we are players and need to do our jobs on the field. We just hope the fans support us and do the right things, as they have been doing so far, to give us this extra lift and energy. That always matters.
"The fans are doing a great job and we are pleased with that. Hopefully, we can play good football. Then it's easier for everybody.
"There was only one game we messed up which was the Crystal Palace home game.
"That's the game we need to forget and learn from. The home form is brilliant and hopefully we can keep that going and pick up some points away from home because that is really important in this league as well."
Koren's role in this evening's clash with Stoke is unclear.
Although he was part of the side that conquered Liverpool last time out at the KC, Steve Bruce's preference was Danny Graham alongside Yannick Sagbo in the trips to Arsenal and Swansea.
Although Koren started the first four Premier League games this season, a broken foot diagnosed in September has markedly reduced his involvement. Now in the final year of his deal it is far from ideal, but Koren is confident he has at least two more years in his tank.
"I am just concentrating to be fit and do my job for the team," he said, confirming talks over a new deal were yet to begin.
"I am just enjoying my time here. I am fit and doing the right things every day. I still think I have a couple of years left and I will not stop playing. We will wait and see what happens."
