Wrexham exile backed into a corner by transfer decision as he shows his true character

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Wrexham frontman Ollie Palmer has been told to find a new club by manager Phil Parkinson this summer, but the 33-year-old has opened up on his determination to fight for his place
Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer has laid bare his anguish after being axed from the squad and told to seek pastures new. The 33-year-old has been an important player for the Red Dragons since his switch from Wimbledon in January 2022, netting 46 times in 156 outings during the club's meteoric rise from the National League to the Championship.
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However, Palmer found himself cast aside for much of the latter half of last season in League One following the acquisitions of forwards Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez. Manager Phil Parkinson recently urged him to explore options elsewhere after drafting in additional attacking reinforcements this summer.
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But Palmer's prospects of remaining at the Racecourse Ground were given fresh hope on Tuesday after he scored two injury-time headers as Wrexham defeated Hull City on penalties in the EFL Cup first round. A knock sustained by new arrival Kieffer Moore during last weekend's 2-1 league defeat at Southampton might also prompt Parkinson into a change of heart.
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Following the Hull clash, Palmer confessed to struggling with his unexpected tumble down the pecking order last term, whilst maintaining his resolve to remain and prove his worth.
"It's hard, My family are in London and football isn't always all rosy," he told The Athletic. "You're out of the team, travelling up and down the country. Not being involved with the squad through February, March and April is hard, and it gets a little bit dark.
"But you can't pity yourself. You've just got to remain professional. As much as you want to be part of it, you have to show some character. I'm lucky to be involved in a dressing room (where) they're the best team-mates in the country.
"The new lads have come in and embraced our culture, our humour and the togetherness. I want to be part of it. I will remain professional and give everything I've got until this chapter finishes, whenever that may be.
"All I've ever done is try my best. I can hold my head up high. If the gaffer chooses to select me on Saturday in any format, I'll be ready to take the chance. I'll give him everything."
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Wrexham found themselves 3-1 down to Hull until the dying moments on Tuesday evening. That was before Palmer struck twice within 70 seconds to force the match into a penalty shootout.
The striker also found the net from the spot as Wrexham triumphed 5-3 at the Racecourse Ground. Palmer's display this week highlighted his determination, though playing time could become even more scarce with Wrexham on the verge of securing a club-record £10million move for forward Nathan Broadhead.
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Parkinson's squad head to fellow Championship outfit Preston North End in the competition's next stage later this month, and despite growing competition for places, Palmer remains hopeful of making his mark.
He added: "I've been through a lot with this football club. People sometimes forget how many games I played last season. I started every game bar one until the end of January. Then, changes were made and it was about me digging deep.
"[I was] training, remaining professional and doing what I can for this club. Albeit, maybe in the background for the last 16 games. But I was always ready if an opportunity came along. It happened tonight [against Hull], technically in the league above against a top Championship football club. That's football, right?".
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