Carlos Corberan praises Alex Palmer after West Brom turnaround
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan has praised Alex Palmer’s personality in the way he was able to bounce back from a first-half mistake to make amends in the 0-0 draw with Bristol City.
Corberan was quick to praise Palmer, who he has suggested can be sensitive to mistakes, for the way he responded to a sloppy moment that almost saw the Baggies concede.
The boss claimed that, while mistakes can be costly, especially from the defensive players, it was important for the goalkeeper to step up and turn in an important performance for his side despite his error.
Speaking to the Express and Star on 19 September, Corberan was full of praise for his goalkeeper: “He was excellent the whole game,” he said about the shot-stopper. “He made one mistake which came very close to costing one goal.
“We never want our players to make mistakes because we know the consequence if that comes from the keeper or the centre-backs, normally you have players to defend against the mistake, but the most important thing was his reaction to the mistake.
“Sometimes Alex is too sensitive to be affected by a mistake, and on Saturday he gave a step of personality that was necessary for the team.
“Without this type of personality, we wouldn’t have achieved the point we achieved at the weekend.”
Stepping up for his side
Palmer’s attitude and mentality saw him help his team to a 0-0 draw by keeping an important clean sheet on the road, the first for the Baggies since the 2-0 victory over Blackburn in April last season.
Corberan’s comments suggest there is a new-found confidence and maturity in his goalkeeper, whose personality has developed and made him a better player in the process.
Palmer was linked with a Premier League move when Luton Town came calling in the summer, but the move fell through and he ended up staying at The Hawthorns – something he claims was always in his plans despite the interest from elsewhere [Express and Star, 21 August].
The step up he showed despite the adversity of having made a near-costly mistake will be just what the Baggies need if they want to go a step further than last year and make a real push for the playoffs, with each player needing to show development not only on the pitch but personally too.
In other West Brom news, one new signing could be set for his first start against Watford.