Bobby Thomas on ‘quite random’ Kasey Palmer and the reception he’s likely to get on return to Coventry City
Kasey Palmer makes his first return to the CBS Arena this weekend when Coventry City entertain bottom of the table Hull.
The Tigers travel with new boss Ruben Selles in charge of his second game, having earned a 1-1 home draw with Watford in midweek following his replacement of Tim Walter following four straight league defeats. That run extended to six before former Reading boss Selles took charge this week.
The Sky Blues know all about Palmer, who was been a regular starter again since the departure of Walter. But what’s he like to defend against, given the play-maker’s impressive technical ability on the ball? City centre-back Bobby Thomas has played against him enough on the training pitch at Ryton to know.
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“He’s... I’d describe Kasey as quite random,” he said, thinking carefully about his answer. “He does some unbelievable things that you aren’t expecting. He finds areas where you don’t expect to see him sometimes and he’s a creative player who has dangerous attributes to his game, so we do need to be careful and make sure we are all aware of what he can do, as much as any other player from Hull.
“But he does have a technical ability which other people don’t have but without giving him too much credit, he’s a good player and I am sure we will try to nullify what he can do.”
Asked if knowing a player that well can help when facing them on the opposition, he said: “Yeah probably, because you’ve trained with him and know what he’s capable of, but I think it’s important to treat him like any other player.”
He added: “He’ll probably get a little bit of stick, I don’t know, off the fans but he’s a good player and we will treat him with the same respect as any good player.”
Asked if he thinks it will be a shame if Palmer does get flak off the home fans, Thomas said: “It’s how football is I guess. He was a good player for us and tried his best when he was here. I was only here for a season with him but he was a good part of the squad and it was sad to see him go. “But he has moved on to a new venture. We all wished him the best and obviously it is just part of football, coming back to an old club and seeing what reception the fans will give you. But like you say, it’s just part of football.”
