West Brom were forced to come from behind to pick up a point on Saturday afternoon.
Making the trip to fellow play-off hopefuls Hull City, the Baggies found themselves 1-0 down to a strike from Fabio Carvalho.
The goal came in the 35th minute, when the Liverpool loanee fired into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Although Carlos Corberan‘s side would seccure a point, with Darnell Furlong’s header securing a 1-1 draw for the visitors, there have been questions about goalkeeper Alex Palmer, for the goal they conceded.
However, it seems as though at least one former West Brom player, does have sympathy for the 27-year-old.
Andy Johnson defends Alex Palmer
The goal that Carvalho scored against the Baggies, came at the post Palmer himself was guarding.
That has led to some questioning whether the West Brom goalkeeper ought to have kept out the strike, which seemingly proved too powerful for him.
Andy Johnson though, believes Palmer stood little chance with the goal, even if he admits the goalkeeper may criticse himself for it.
Speaking on the Baggies Broadcast podcast, the former West Brom midfielder was asked if Palmer should have saved Carvalho’s effort.
Responding to that question, Johnson said: “If you asked him he’ll probably say yes he should have saved it. I think he’s having a fantastic season I think he’s a great goalkeeper and think that was just struck with such venom, and it looked like it was moving all the time.
“So it’s one of those tricky ones isn’t it. Alex will probably say that he should have done better but no, not for me. Sometimes you’ve got hold your hands up and say, do you know what, it’s a great strike, and it was a great strike. He hits it with such power. There’s not many that would have stopped that, if any.”
West Brom are next in action on Friday night. That comes when they host another play-off rival, Coventry City, at The Hawthorns in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
West Brom must keep faith with Alex Palmer
It would no doubt be harsh if Corberan was to drop Palmer on the back of what happened against Hull City on Saturday.
As Johnson says, Palmer has done very well for West Brom throughout the course of the campaign so far.
That could make it a gamble to therefore drop him on the back of this, when there is still a debate over whether he did that much wrong here.
Indeed, if Palmer was to be dropped, it is not something that would help the confidence of the goalkeeper.
That would then put him under even more pressure when he does return to the West Brom side, which could lead to more costly errors.
It is also worth noting that if Palmer was to be dropped, Josh Griffiths would have to be the man to come into the XI.
However, the 22-year-old has only a limited experience at this level. As a result it could be a gamble to rely on him at this stage of the season.
With that in mind, it would feel like something of a surprise if Palmer is not again starting for West Brom on Friday night.