West Brom contract for David Button a kick in the teeth for Alex Palmer
West Brom have confirmed the news that goalkeeper David Button has extended his stay at The Hawthorns for another two years taking his deal to 2024.
The 33-year-old played just 11 times for the Baggies in the 2021-22 season but five of those came in consecutive games at the end of the campaign with Sam Johnstone, the regular number one, destined to leave on a free transfer.
Button’s deal was also coming to an end this summer but Steve Bruce has been impressed enough by the experienced shot-stopper in this final handful of fixtures to offer him a new deal.
While Button didn’t do anything particularly wrong whenever he has stepped in between the sticks for the Albion, his renewal shows almost a lack of ambition and it will almost certainly spell the end of the road for another glovesman at The Hawthorns.
Alex Palmer has very patiently sat on the sidelines all season waiting to be given a chance to shine in the Championship but both Valerien Ismael and Bruce have opted to leave him on the bench in favour of the 33-year-old.
He did get one game in the second tier this season when he headed to Luton Town on an emergency loan as the Hatters became desperate for a number one through a string of injuries and suspensions.
The 25-year-old has a good game at Kenilworth Road and almost played again the following week but one of Nathan Jones’ regular goalkeepers recovered in time to play.
That performance at very short notice should have been the indicator to Bruce that Palmer is a keeper worth keeping around and trusting to be the number one but this news is a real slap in the face for him.
No one would blame him for wanting to leave the club this summer as a result and it would be of no surprise if he gets a move that catapults him above West Brom in the footballing pyramid and he will laugh down at us, deservedly so.
In other West Brom news, it took forever but the transfer we all knew was going to happen has finally been announced officially by the club.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Baggies plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.