Hull City 2 Leicester 1: Barmby’s agenda is now the priority – Koren

The return of their former manager just 18 days after his departure to old club Leicester left a bitter taste among the home crowd, who barracked Pearson throughout Saturday’s encounter.

Yet, while he could understand their feelings, Koren said: “I was not thinking that because Nigel was here we needed to do something special. It’s about us, it’s about Hull City. He’s not here any more so we need to think about ourselves and focus on ourselves and wish him all the best.

“I was not really surprised when he left because this is football. It’s difficult for our fans to understand and, of course, it’s not nice that he left the team which he brought in and tried to build on. It’s a shame but we need to move on. We have our own agenda. Nick is doing a great job and has a lot of experience and we need to stick together and think of ourselves.”

The Slovenian international finally broke 10-man Leicester’s resistance in the 87th-minute with a trademark bullet shot from outside the area which left Kasper Schmeichel diving to his left in vain.

The visitors had been down to 10 men since the 28th minute, Pearson having no complaints about the penalty decision which resulted in captain Matt Mills being sent off for his sliding challenge on Aaron Mclean inside the area.

Following prolonged protests, it enabled Matty Fryatt to fire Hull ahead from the spot in the 30th minute, Pearson immediately withdrawing striker Jermaine Beckford for defender Sean St Ledger.

Hull were left to regret failing to convert a series of half-chances before the opener when the Foxes struck back before the break, David Nugent firing a fierce shot which thudded off goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi into Paul Konchesky’s path and the left-back curled a low shot inside the far post.

Barmby, who had restored Paul McKenna into midfield after suspension and Andy Dawson at left-back for rested youngster Joe Dudgeon, made a tactical switch at the interval.

It worked a treat as Cameron Stewart and Koren switched roles with the former tormenting out wide and cutting inside from the left to force a top save from Schmeichel.

The former Leeds goalkeeper also stuck out a leg to divert a fierce drive from Dawson from a low cross from fellow full-back Liam Rosenior – the pair virtually operating as extra attackers.

Leicester employed two banks of four to frustrate the Tigers and the ploy almost earned a point until Koren, nestling behind Fryatt, struck.

“We all know my favourite position is more central where I feel more comfortable but it is up to the manager,” said Koren.

“Nick told me before the game to play wide left because that will suit the team and I agreed with that. It’s not that I needed to prove anything to Nick. He knows my abilities. There is no problem between us.

“After the first half we talked in the dressing room about being patient and moving the ball quick.

“It’s not like needing to be patient and having five or 10 touches. It’s all about one or two touch, moving the ball around and making them tired. And that happened because at the end they were really tired being one man down and they could not put the pressure on each of us and I got the opportunity to make the shot and luckily for us we got the winning goal.”

Victory took Hull above the Foxes into eighth but Koren said: “It’s difficult to say who has the better chance of going up as so many teams have the same goal to reach. We need to think about Hull City not Leicester or West Ham. It’s all about Hull City and we need to be in the top six at least at the end of the season.”

Barmby, who still prefers to be tagged caretaker manager after four games in charge, was also keen to draw a line under Pearson’s tenure, although he admitted about the victory: “It was for the fans. The lads wanted to do it for themselves but they wanted to do it for the fans, too.

“As motivational speeches go, I don’t think you really had to say a great deal.

“Before the game I wished him all the best as I would to any manager.

“I don’t have any gripes with Nige. I thought he did a really good job here and his decision was to leave the club. I can’t do anything about that, it’s got nothing to do with me.

“I’ve seen it many times in football. I’ve been there as a player where you get a bad reception. We were disappointed that Nige left but this club will always keep going and keep progressing.

“We got it into the players that they had to keep a clear mind.

“Yes they probably did have a point to prove, I’m not going to lie about that, but the main thing for me was their attitude and commitment.

“The patience to break down a side with just 10 men was very pleasing, too. I felt for the majority of the game, whether it was against 10 men or 11 men, we were the better team.

“I’ve said to them that if they keep believing in themselves and keep switched on and focused then they can make waves in this division. There’s no doubt about that but they’ve got to be on their game week in and week out.

“Even if games aren’t going for us, they have to keep believing and not panic.”

After four defeats in five games, Barmby conceded that he would have taken a draw, adding: “Without being negative, it would have stopped a sequence of losses to take a point but the players knew they were good enough to win the game.”

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