Palmer feeling benefit of Shez guidance

TOTAL RESPECT . . . Matt Palmer has complete faith in new Athletic boss John Sheridan (below) and expects the team to climb the Sky Bet League One table.

MATT Palmer believes he is at the perfect club to further his development as a midfielder.

A surprise loan signing from Burton, it’s fair to suggest most Athletic fans didn’t know much about the energetic 20 year old when he was brought in two weeks ago. John Sheridan knew plenty though, having come across a player who already has 103 senior appearances under his belt.

A youth team graduate at Burton, Derby-born Palmer has been used to making things happen in relatively-successful Albion sides. He hopes Sheridan will be able to fine-tune his game to the benefit both of Athletic and Palmer himself — ideally, beyond the terms of his current loan deal which expires at the end of February.

“He is brilliant and he is really good for me,” said Palmer of his new boss. “He knows how to get the best out of me. It was a big part of why I wanted to come, knowing he can help my game and put me into the right position to get the best out of me.

“I would love to extend my loan. I just have to play until the end of this month and see what happens from there.”

Palmer has twice come close to scoring for Athletic and hopes it will be third time lucky against Blackpool tomorrow.

“I just try to keep getting in and around the box and hopefully a chance falls to me like it did at Shrewsbury, where I should have scored,” he added. “If I can get into those positions, hopefully one will drop to me and I will put it into the back of the net.”

Palmer believes the pick-me-up victory at Shrewsbury will stand the team well.

“It will be tough against Blackpool. They are down there themselves and it’s a big game for both sides. But I’m sure if we turn up and do what we can do, we can get three points.”