Melbourne City marquee Robert Koren says the team can’t get carried away by recent good form

MELBOURNE City marquee Robert Koren has been a frustrated spectator for two months but admitted that the club’s winning streak aided his recovery.

MELBOURNE City marquee Robert Koren has been a frustrated spectator for two months but admitted that the club’s winning streak aided his recovery.

The club finally appears to have overcome a spate of soft tissue injuries, coinciding with a surge up the table which has City lurking ominously in third.

Just as he is doing with left-back Michael Zullo, coach John van’t Schip exercised caution with Koren and Aaron Hughes in their recovery, both and training and games, with both returning via the bench.

“It’s always hard when you are not involved in the games, but when the team is doing well things are easier,’’ Koren said.

“This year things are much easier than last year because the team is doing well so I can take more time to come back and we can be more sensible, we don’t need to rush.

“I am fit now and hopefully I can stay fit until the end of the season.’’

Koren, who’s marquee impact has been criticised by many fans, was unfairly maligned for his performance in the Round 2 derby loss to Melbourne Victory.

Though he lasted until the 58th minute, Koren actually strained his calf midway through the first half and bravely attempted to play on.

Koren, who showed great pre-season form and a real chemistry with striker Bruno Fornaroli, welcomed the scrutiny.

“When you’re playing football you’re always under pressure,’’ he said.

“You want to do well, it doesn’t matter if you’re the marquee player or not, if you’re young or old, you always want to do well and that’s pressure.

Bruno Fornaroli celebrates and Harry Novillo are two City players who have been in top form. Picture: Simon Cross

“What people are saying around, I don’t care, I don’t mind. I’m here to help the club, the club will decide if it’s good enough or not and I don’t have problems with that.’’

Koren has experienced football’s rollercoaster during seven years in the English Premier League and the cutthroat Championship with West Brom and Hull City and 61 games for Slovenia, including the 2010 World Cup.

He said it was important City didn’t get carried away with their recent run.

“At one stage you’re flying, but you need to be sensible, you need to be careful. If you fly too high you can be punished,’’ Koren said.

“Already after the game we had a meeting, we talked through the things that were not good because we want to improve.

“It’s always good to win the derbies, it’s really important for the club, the players and the fans but I would say it’s a big thing for us to win the four games in a row. That’s something that we can build on.

“That’s what brings more confidence into the team, not just winning the derby.’’

Originally published as Melbourne City marquee Robert Koren says the team can’t get carried away by recent good form