[robnewbold]

Given the choice between a top reflex keeper who commands his box and one who is just good at kicking, I'd take the first type every time.

Agree 100% with this.

[mulliganstired]

I don't think this guy gets enough credit at times.

All I hear around me are people constantly moaning about his kicking - yet he makes big saves at big moments and is a genuinely safe pair of hands when crosses are being fired into the area.

When you watch Championship games and see some of the keepers, I think we're lucky to have him.

I was thinking just that the other day, he is improving his presence all the time, especially under high balls.  Kiss of death for the next game I know!

[Atomic]

Given the choice between a top reflex keeper who commands his box and one who is just good at kicking, I'd take the first type every time.

Yep me too. He does frustrate me at times because he's too slow sometimes with his distribution but as a shot stopper he's a top, top 'keeper and he comes and catches crosses as well.

Sam Johnstone played for England ??. Weird.

Palmer better.

[boinging_along]

He's a good keeper and he's improved a lot at when it comes to high balls that's for sure.
It really is his kicking that lets his game down. 

I'm not talking about bobbly ones back to him, ones under pressure, or ones where he's had to hit it first time - I'm talking the ones where it's at his feet, there's no-one around him, he's got plenty of time.. he lines it up.. and smacks it 30 yards over the head of Furlong and out for a throw in. 

It shouldn't be an "either\or" situation thing though - I would like a top reflex keeper and one who can kick the ball in the direction of his target.  I mean, they train a few times a week, they have staff to go and fetch the balls for him, and to aim at, he's got every possible advantage needed to improve something as basic as kicking a football.  It's not like he's got to go over a field with one ball, kick it, run after it, and kick it again.  He can stand there with 100 footballs and rattle them off and get someone to fetch them.

[WBArgo]

Given the choice between a top reflex keeper who commands his box and one who is just good at kicking, I'd take the first type every time.

Agree. These days the hipsters love kicking but it's over-rated against a good shot stopper. Case in point Onana at Man Utd vs. Jordan Pickford. I don't think anyone seriously rates Onana over Pickford at this point.

[gazberg]

If this guy had decent distribution he'd be in the PL well before now.

One of the best keepers in the division despite his flaw.

[Standaman]

Good distribution won't make up for being a below average goal keeper in other regards but it is kind of expected a the top level of the game. At the moment Palmer's distribution caps the level at which he is likely to play.

[NJS]

If you prefer shot stopping above distribution (who wouldn't?) then you have to accept some level of passing it out from the back unless you like giving away possession a lot of the time.

[beechyboy90]

Palmer best keeper we have had since Foster. Makes saves and has presence he's just not great at tippy tappy stuff. But to be honest for where we are he is excellent

[lewisant]

I thinks as a reflex keeper he is one of the best in the Championship. He needs to get an internship at Amazon to learn about distribution.

Well if he does that his deliveries are more likely to be subtly left under doormats on the Halfords Lane, in electricity meter boxes and nowhere near any safe places.

[SmethDan]

Well if he does that his deliveries are more likely to be subtly left under doormats on the Halfords Lane, in electricity meter boxes and nowhere near any safe places.

That's because there are no safe places when it comes to an Alex Palmer delivery. Especially not in the Halfords or the East Stand. Be told  .

[zippyandbungle]

If this guy had decent distribution he'd be in the PL well before now.

One of the best keepers in the division despite his flaw.

I’d also say it’s an occasional flaw ,there are times when he can distribute well…not against Oxford and not on a few occasions when it goes straight in the tge Halfords,but for me he is the best in this division .

[TheBaggieMan]

One improvement is that Palmer is not being beaten close to his near post as often.

[SmethDan]

One improvement is that Palmer is not being beaten close to his near post as often.

Was it ever a regular thing? I'm generally far too busy ducking when he kicks the ball out to have noticed  .

[NJS]

I’d also say it’s an occasional flaw ,there are times when he can distribute well…not against Oxford and not on a few occasions when it goes straight in the tge Halfords,but for me he is the best in this division .

For me Bachman, Trafford, Patterson are better.

[hillsm]

Cooper at Sheffield Utd is the best IMO.
Very happy with Palmer though.

[WoysWunderful]

Though I am very happy with palmer between the sticks, if we had a good offer come in that suited us, I wouldn’t be devedtsted if he left

[alex1]

Though I am very happy with palmer between the sticks, if we had a good offer come in that suited us, I wouldn’t be devedtsted if he left

I'd definitely be unhappy. Its so important having a keeper who is strong and commands his box and Palmer is both of those. And he's local.

[boinging_along]

He had a good game today - kicking was on point and couldn't really do anything about the goal.

[gazberg]

West Brom Xtra
@WestBromXtra


🚨 West Brom are working to extend Alex Palmers contract which runs out in the summer of 2026.

Talks are underway.

@EyaWeGew   @talkwba   #wba

[boinging_along]

Talks are underway.

As is the search party to find the balls that went into the east stand.

[tex]

hopefully a new deal will help him "kick on" with his development.

[Fritzl Palace]

hopefully a new deal will help him "kick on" with his development.

Will take a new goalkeeping coach for that, not the pudding that is Myhill

[TheBaggieMan]

If Alex Palmer’s kicking distribution was good, he would not only be with a Premier League club but he would also be a possible contender for England given the dearth of English keepers

[LiamTheBaggie]

Will take a new goalkeeping coach for that, not the pudding that is Myhill

Given he’s 29 years of age then no goalkeeping coach will be correcting that issue. It’s ingrained.

Club now does have a decision to make on Josh Griffiths if Palmer is going to sign a new deal.