Ex-QPR's Steve Palmer on Shittu, Waddock & QPR (Ben Kosky/Wembley & Kingsbury Times)

-
Ben Kosky/Wembley & Kingsbury Times

Palmer backs Dan to be a hit

09 August 2006

FORMER QPR captain Steve Palmer is convinced Danny Shittu has the ability to make it in the Premiership following his move to Watford.

Palmer played alongside Shittu several times in the centre of defence during his three years at Loftus Road as Rangers battled to climb out of Division Two.

And it was newly-promoted Watford, another of Palmer's former teams, who finally won the race to sign the big centre-back last weekend after having two earlier bids flatly rejected.

Palmer, a member of the last Hornets side to reach the top flight, insisted: "Danny's got all the attributes to be a top-class footballer.

"When he first came to QPR it was really his start in league football, but he worked very hard, continued to develop and I'm sure he will do well at the highest level.

"I feel Watford are going to approach the Premiership differently from when I was there - they'll spend a bit of money and I hope they do well this season."

Palmer, who started his career at Ipswich, carved out a successful career at Vicarage Road, helping the Hornets to two successive promotions in 1998 and 1999.

He became a key figure as Ian Holloway rebuilt a Rangers side ravaged by relegation and administration in 2001 and clocked up 143 appearances in blue and white hoops.

Released by the Rs after promotion in 2004, Palmer joined Milton Keynes Dons as player-coach, but left the club at the end of last year and announced his retirement from the game.

Now working as performance manager with nine to 16-year-old players at Tottenham's Academy, Palmer still keeps an eye on events at QPR and believes the club are moving in the right direction under Gary Waddock.

He said: "Gary's got them playing the way he wants them to - he's an experienced man and a good QPR man.

"I know there have been a lot of changes going on at the club, but I'm sure he'll do well with the team that he's building and get them pushing towards the top of the league.

"The standard at the top level is definitely continuing to rise and I'm sure that will filter down.

"To get there I think you need a bit of luck, some stability and good leadership and to play the right way.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club. I made a great deal of friends there and I look forward to going back there to watch the team play.

Article