Kasey Palmer has been relishing the motivation of proving Nigel Pearson wrong after finally being able to find a place he can call home.
The attacking midfielder fell out of favour under the Robins manager with his final appearance in the Championship for City coming in the 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest in October 2021. It epitomised his three years at the club with Lee Johnson and Dean Holden also failing to get the best out of his technical ability.
City finally cut their losses this summer by allowing Palmer to join Championship rivals Coventry City for a nominal fee and taking a hefty hit on the £3.5million they paid Chelsea in 2019. Albeit, more importantly, managing to get his high salary off the wage bill.
In December 2021, two months after his last appearance, Pearson was blunt in his assessment of Palmer when he explained his absence from the side. He said: "If he does enough, he might be included. So that doesn't change.
"To be absolutely honest with you, discussing individuals like that, he's not been included because other players have done more."
The writing was very much on the wall and despite the extra year on his contract heading into the summer, Coventry took a gamble on a player who had flattered to deceive when handed his opportunity in red colours.
With an arm around the shoulder, particularly from his former Under-21 coach at Chelsea Adi Viveash and now Coventry's assistant, Palmer now has his confidence back and the Sky Blues are reaping their rewards.
His ability on the ball has never been in question but his work-rate has and that was an opinion about his game he wanted to refute. Speaking to the Coventry Telegraph, he said: "I think the perception of me was from my previous manager, for whatever reason, that Kasey doesn’t work hard enough, Kasey doesn’t do this or Kasey doesn’t do that, so naturally fans listen to what previous managers have said. So, for me, it was a case of proving a point that I can work hard.
Asked why his time at Coventry is different to that in BS3, he added "I’d be lying if I said it was just one reason. There are multiple reasons why Bristol didn’t work out like it was meant to when I first signed.
“All I can really do is look at the positives of where I am now at Coventry City and enjoying my football again, enjoying the staff and knowing that I have just got to keep on learning and trying to fulfil my potential, really.
"When I joined Coventry in the summer I thought it would be the trickiest year of my career, especially after a period of not playing and getting injured, so it was quite tough. But ever since I have come here they have been brilliant and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“I think it’s quite evident that I feel at home here. I’m really happy around the training ground and among the players and staff, and enjoying my football.
"And I’d say it’s probably the happiest I have been at a football club since I was at Huddersfield when we got promoted and I was playing. But I have finally found somewhere where I feel settled and am enjoying playing my football again.
"I found my love for football again by finding a club that fits me. I have always tried to keep going because there’s always a shining light somewhere.
"That now, for me, is being at Coventry and back with Adi with whom I played really well with the Under-21s at Chelsea.
“It’s a case of trying to build that connection again with someone that trusts and believes in you. It makes a massive difference because he knows exactly what I am capable of. And if I am not doing well he will give me that vibe because there’s a relationship there. I feel that’s a crucial part of it as well.”
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