Neil Cutler: Alex Palmer can star for West Brom
There is no reason why third-choice keeper Alex Palmer can’t grow into a future No.1, according to goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler.
Palmer, who is 21, is currently behind Ben Foster and Boaz Myhill in the pecking order, but Myhill’s contract is up in the summer.
Cutler has been impressed with his technical ability on the training pitch and is now trying to speed up his reflexes and decision making.
Cutler has a history of developing young talent at former club Walsall, having helped mould Neil Etheridge, who is currently at Cardiff, Rich O’Donnell, who is at Northampton Town, and Liam Roberts, who has been catching the eye for the Saddlers this seaosn.
He’s hoping to do a similar thing with Palmer over the next few years.
“I think Alex has got a great chance, he’s a talented boy, a great technician, just needs to speed himself up and utilise his power,” said Cutler. “Once he does that he’s going to be good. He works on it, his work ethic is really good.”
Two seasons ago Palmer went out on loan to Kidderminster Harriers in the National League but he’s spent the past two years with Albion’s under-23s.
When Cutler was asked if could be a future No.1, he said: “Without a doubt - there’s no reason why not.
“What we did at Walsall with the same philosophy, we took Neil Etheridge from nothing to the Championship, we took Rich O’Donnell from nothing into the Championship.
“We’ve got Liam Roberts now coming through from nothing and he’s got people now interested in him.
“There’s no reason why Alex can’t go from where he is now to the Premier League if he has the same work ethic and thought process.”
Albion’s academy keepers are developed by long-serving coach Mark Naylor.
“Nails has done a great job with the young ones,” added Cutler, who joined the club this year after Jonathan Gould left for Middlesbrough. “There are some really good technicians in there and some talented kids, they just need to speed up a little bit.
“They need that real work ethic, that match related speed, and the details of their shape. They’re a little bit comfortable. But good in general, the standard is really good. What I can do is work on those details and push them forward.”
