‘Bonus’ – Exclusive: Pundit tips never-before-seen West Brom player for Bilic first-team role
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has tipped goalkeeper Alex Palmer to play a role in the West Brom first-team next season after an impressive loan spell at Plymouth Argyle.
Palmer, 23, played every minute of every league game as Plymouth won automatic promotion from League Two, leading to manager Ryan Lowe declaring his interest in signing the shot-stopper again [Plymouth Herald].
It remains to be seen what kind of role Palmer has at West Brom past the end of this season but Phillips believes that his impressive loan spell at Home Park means that he could be Slaven Bilic’s second-choice ‘keeper next term.
“He’s done very well down there and had a good season at Plymouth,” the pundit told West Brom News.
“I’ve said many times that I like to see young players go out, learn their trade, improve and come back challenging.
“The next step for him will hopefully come in the Premier League, whether that be on the bench or challenging for the number two spot, so he can gain even more experience.
“That area is pretty much covered for Slaven next season and he can concentrate on using the club’s finances to look elsewhere.
“It could turn out to be a right bonus for West Brom.”
Palmer’s never made a senior appearance for West Brom despite being on the books at The Hawthorns for eight years and is now 23-years-of-age.
Normally, players who have failed to make the step up from the Under-23s to the senior squad are released before they turn 22 but as Palmer is a goalkeeper, it might be that it has taken him a bit longer to develop into someone who the Baggies are willing to promote to the first-team.
Jonathan Bond and Ali Al-Habsi are both out of contract at the end of this season so Palmer could be seen as the second-choice shot-stopper for next term, when the Baggies are likely to be back in the Premier League.
In other West Brom news, it has been suggested this 29-year-old signed by Tony Pulis could leave in the next transfer window.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.