Level-headed approach crucial for West Brom goalkeeper

Palmer, 27, was one of Carlos Corberan’s most reliable performers and did not miss a minute of Championship football as Albion reached the play-offs, where eventual promotion winners Southampton prevailed in the semi-final.

Palmer, an academy graduate at The Hawthorns, had to bide his time to break through at senior level but has grasped his opportunity under the head coach over the last 18 months.

Impressive consistency saw Palmer rewarded with a share of the golden glove award with Leeds’ Illan Meslier after both clocked up 18 clean sheets in the regular campaign.

“I’d like to say I’m quite level-headed, in a way,” said Palmer when asked about his consistency. “I try not to get too high or too low.

“Even with training, I like training, like to be out there, I hate recovery days! For me I feel like I get consistency from being out there and seeing things.

“I don’t know, touch wood, I’ve been like that throughout my career, not had major ups and major downs and maybe you need that as a goalkeeper.”

The goalkeeper, who turned down a move to Premier League new-boys Luton last summer, added of his campaign: “It is one to be proud of. It’s my first full season and where we got to I can only feel honoured and privileged to be in this position.”

Kidderminster-born Palmer was part of Albion’s matchday squad as far back as May 2015, the final day of the Premier League season, as Tony Pulis’s Baggies were dealt a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.

After seven loans away an Albion senior debut finally came at the beginning of the 2021/22 season in an EFL Cup drubbing, also at the hands of Arsenal.

“You’ve got to be (strong),” Palmer said of biding his time. “I’m lucky to have a good network behind me and someone close to me that doesn’t let me think negatively and was constantly driving me to be patient and make the right decision, not to get caught up with anything else and what other people were doing.

“Vince O’Keefe (Palmer’s agent), he looks after me, he’s full of experience and wise words, along with all the goalkeeper coaches I’ve had, he’s been that continuous voice behind me.

“There are so many times stuff could’ve happened in my career, you choose a different path, but having good people behind you, it helps massively. Some people get too caught up with wanting everything there and now. Patience is the biggest thing.”