Alex Palmer can cement himself as West Brom number one for years after ousting David Button
West Brom have had a horror season so far for the most part, but recent results under Carlos Corberan indicate that there could be a change of fortunes soon.
The Baggies were in serious danger of relegation before finally sacking Steve Bruce, and then let an eternity go by before they finally appointed the Spaniard four games before the World Cup break.
The former Huddersfield boss suffered defeat in his first game in charge, but after implementing his own style, system and selections West Brom have now won three in a row and moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
During the summer there was a big question mark on the goalkeeper situation at the club as Sam Johnstone left for Crystal Palace and David Button was handed the starting shirt, but that experiment failed horribly.
Just before he was sacked, Bruce brought in youngster Alex Palmer as his starting goalkeeper but results didn’t turn.
When Corberan came in there were some worries that with a relegation battle brewing he could opt for experience to get them away from trouble, but Palmer has been able to retain his place as number one.
West Brom have not only won their last three games in a row, but they’ve managed to keep three consecutive clean sheets against Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City.
Palmer has now firmly established himself as the number one goalkeeper at the club and the 26-year-old is likely here to stay for a while.
Having come through the academy at the club and been sent out on loan seven different times, it feels like a full circle moment for the player but also a bit of a rebirth for the club.
Along with Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Reyes Cleary and Zac Ashworth, there is an academy core now brewing at the club.
Considering the issues the club have had with retaining their top young talents, that’s a positive and something to build on going forward.
Corberan clearly is happy to use new players if he deems them good enough, and while he’s no spring chicken this is Palmer’s first run as a first-team regular at this level.
Avoiding relegation is no doubt the prime goal and it’s imperative that we do so, but the future is looking brighter if we can do that.
In other West Brom news, Tom Rogic has been snubbed again