ROBINS: MORE TO COME FROM CLASSY KASEY
SUMMER SIGNING PALMER STARTING TO PROVE HIS WORTH TO SKY BLUES
IT’S fair to say that Coventry City summer signing Kasey Palmer is a player who had lost his way a little bit in recent years.
Starting out at Chelsea, the onetime Premier League prospect cut the apron strings at Stamford Bridge in 2019 when he signed for Bristol City for £3.5million, joining on a four-year deal.
But three years and three managers later and the technically gifted ball player was handed a career lifeline by the Sky Blues, and chance to work with his former Blues coach Adi Viveash – an opportunity he simply couldn’t turn down.
Having missed so much football due to injury and being out of favour at Ashton Gate, Sky Blues manager Mark Robins insisted from day one that the 25-year-old talent would take time to get going at the CBS Arena, and that fans should be patient with the player and not expect too much too soon.
Two and a half months into his City spell, Palmer is catching the eye in every game, whether that’s stepping off the bench to good effect as he did in Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United, or starting the occasional game in the No.10 role.
Today he will look to play his part against Stoke City as the Sky Blues seek a third win in a row.
His work-rate and enthusiasm is complemented by a sublime first touch and undoubted ability on the ball, and earned him plenty of credit among the supporters.
Asked if it’s a case of Palmer enjoying a new lease of life at City, Robins said: “His contribution was just what we needed the other night. He’s a brilliant lad, a great character who has settled in brilliantly.
“He will have had some frustrations over a period of time. He had an injury last season which kept him out for a significant amount of time. But we love him, we really do.
“We love all the players but we love him because he’s been such a breath of fresh air. He has so much talent and ability and he’s working really hard.
“The supporters have seen it and he knows that, and knows what the supporters want and expect from him now. And I think there’s more to come. He’s still building and wants to be the best he can, and we won’t see that until a little bit further down the line when he’s played more football.
“But he’s enjoying himself. We are trying to get him to a place where he’s ready and he’s building into that. His training and application has been good and he’s in a good place at the moment, and long may that continue.”
Asked if it’s a pleasure to coach a player with so much obvious talent in his boots, the manager said: “Yes, and the lads are all great.
“They are all capable of taking on information and putting it into effect in games. We are lucky but they work hard and understand what’s required.”
We love him because he’s been such a breath of fresh air. He has so much talent and ability.
Mark Robins