Ollie Palmer has claimed that Wrexham have their feet firmly planted on the ground despite a bright start to their League One campaign.
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Wrexham beat Reading 3-0 in their last matchHave got seven points from the first three matchesPalmer assured that Wrexham remain groundedWHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Dragons have made an impressive opening to their campaign, securing seven out of a possible nine points and sitting in fourth place on the table after a commanding 3-0 victory over Reading. Palmer, who has been a reliable goal-scorer for the team, opened the scoring to register his first goal of the season. Elliot Lee and Andrew Cannon followed suit, each adding a goal to seal the comprehensive win on Saturday.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT PALMER SAID
Speaking to SportsBoom.com, the 32-year-old Palmer was quick to downplay any notions of overconfidence, reminding fans and teammates alike that it's still early days in the season.
“It’s only three games in, no-one can get carried away but we’ve played three top League One teams, so it’s not been an easy start at all," he said.
"I don’t think there have been any easy games, but I feel we have played some of the biggest teams in this league. Wycombe have just come down from the Championship a few seasons ago, Bolton have been trying to get promoted out of this league for a couple of seasons, and Reading did extremely well despite a massive points deduction.
"They will all be looking to be fighting at the right end of the table without a doubt this season. That’s all it is. It’s a great start, nothing more and nothing less, and that’s what this team’s always done from what I’ve seen. There’s a great togetherness in the group and that’s continued into our League One start."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Since joining Wrexham as a record signing in January 2022, Palmer has been a prolific goal-scorer, netting 40 league goals for the club. However, a calf injury over the Christmas period last season has prompted Palmer to reassess his priorities and is now more concerned with staying fit rather than achieving individual milestones.
"I don’t have any personal aims for the season, not at all,” added Palmer. “The main goal is for the team to be fighting at the top end of the table. But just for me, it’s about being as fit as I can and helping the team as much as I can.
“I had a spell out of the team through injury, through January and February last season. So from that day really I took a different outlook on it. I realised I wanted to play every game and realised what I needed to do to make sure that could happen. I don’t think anyone in our dressing room is putting any individual pressure on themselves to do anything. It’s not that type of group."
Rather than placing pressure on any individual player, Palmer believes that the team’s success will come from a collective effort. He prefers a scenario where multiple players contribute to the goal tally rather than relying on a single standout performer.
“I’d rather have everyone chipping in with the goals rather than having one individual standout goal-scorer and not picking up the points. I think it’s all about the boys contributing in their own way, for the team, whether it’s clean sheets, goals, work rate," he said.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?
Palmer's focus has already shifted to Wrexam's upcoming fixture against Peterborough United, where he will aim to continue their positive start to the season. The Red Dragons are not resting on their laurels and are keen to build on the early momentum they gained in August.
