Joe Hart loses mind on MOTD over ‘incredible’ player who West Brom sold
West Brom have been forced into selling some players they may not have wanted to in recent transfer windows due to PSR restrictions.
The Baggies remain on track to finish the season in a play-off spot though, sitting sixth in the league after gaining a point away at Millwall on Saturday (15 February).
However, with Alex Palmer putting in a stunning Premier League performance for Ipswich Town against Aston Villa, supporters can’t be blamed for wondering what might have been.
Joe Hart raves over Alex Palmer
Although the Baggies are looking to move up the table, they were left without one vital man on Deadline Day of the winter transfer window as Alex Palmer left The Hawthorns.
The goalkeeper, who came up through the academy set up in the Black Country, was a regular in the side for the past three seasons.
However, a move to Premier League side Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee brought his time to an end ahead of the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.
The last-minute departure led Josh Griffiths to be recalled from his loan spell at Bristol Rovers to compete with Joe Wildsmith for the spot in Mowbray’s team during the remainder of the campaign.
While it was in another club’s colours, Hart was full of praise for Palmer’s performance for Ipswich against Aston Villa as he said on Match of the Day (15 February): “Now if anyone thought he was nervous and he wasn’t up to the level, this save here, absolutely brilliant. This is someone who doesn’t want to get beat, no matter what.
“Flinging his body in front, I think that’s just flipped off his shoulder and if you’re going to play in the Premier League you’ve got to make these saves. Alan Shearer loves these saves, he loves these saves.
“But look, the pressure’s starting to heap on, down to 10 men, away at Villa Park, Premier League goalkeeper saves them but he saves them, credit to him.”
West Brom missing Alex Palmer
Given Palmer made over 100 appearances for the Baggies and was one of their own, there will be plenty at The Hawthorns wishing him well and pleased to see him succeeding.
However, since his departure, there is also the feeling that form has dipped a bit in the Black Country.
In three games without Palmer, Albion have conceded four goals and while they remain in the play-off spots for now, there is certainly work to be done to ensure standards are high for the remainder of the season.
Losing a goalkeeper who is assured in his position halfway through the season is always a tough one to manage and at such a late stage in the window, West Brom were left unable to go and gain a new signing themselves, having to make do with who was already at the club.
With that being said, given Palmer was out of contract with West Brom in the summer, you can certainly understand why the exit was sanctioned and the long-term gain it provides Albion with.
Furthermore, they do have a goalkeeper in Wildsmith who is an experienced name having already gained Championship experience during his time with Sheffield Wednesday and he needs to find his best form.