Luton boss felt on-loan Hull midfielder showed his true self during Blackpool victory

Luton boss Jack Wilshere felt on-loan Hull City midfielder Kasey Palmer showed his true colours for the Hatters during Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Blackpool.

The Jamaican international, who was operating in a deeper-lying role due to an illness for Liam Walsh, ran the show for large parts of the first half, as he was the hosts’ go-to man to take possession of the ball, receiving it from his defenders and more often than not finding a team-mate with unerring accuracy.

His range of passing both forwards and backwards was impressive too, one laser-guided backpass from way out on to the toes of keeper Josh Keeley while at the other end, he was also able to dink a wonderful cross to the back post where Cohen Bramall saw his header tipped away by visiting stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Although it became harder as the Seasiders started to get to grips with his movements, cutting off his passing routes, Palmer had to change tack slightly and get stuck into the battle, which he did, demonstrating his physicality when trying to win the midfield battle. He was still a threat after the break, sending one free kick over the top, while after Jordan Clark broke the deadlock, he was involved in the game’s moment of controversy late on, looking like he had given a penalty away following a challenge on Niall Ennis who went over inside the area only for referee Martin Woods to see otherwise, allowing Luton to keep their clean sheet intact.

He was then replaced by George Saville for 12 minutes of stoppage time, but enthusing about the efforts of a player who had spent all of his career in the Championship prior to joining the club, Wilshere said: “I think you saw the real Kasey today. He showed moments in the last two games, but he’s got a little bit more used to how we play and you can see how important he is in the group in terms of leadership, in terms of having a real responsibility to drive the team forward.

"I spoke to Kasey before the game about sometimes we want to pass through the lines, but one of your strengths is picking the ball up and driving and I thought he was really good. He got cramp at the end, that’s why we took him off and we need to work with him and make him fitter so he can last the whole game, but he was really good.

“I think he’ll get better and better too with the more he understands what we want, the more he plays with his new team-mates, the more he understands how Walshy’s going to give him the ball or the type of runs the nines are going to make You’ve seen a little bit of his individual brilliance as well where he can drive at someone and beat him, so I’m happy with Kasey and excited to see what more he can bring.”

Having played further forward in his first two outings against Plymouth and Huddersfield, then asked what it was like taking over the quarterback slot on this occasion, Palmer himself continued: "It was a different role, usually I play a bit higher, but I enjoyed it. I thought it was going to be difficult, more defensive stuff, but because we dominated the ball it was about getting on the ball and finding passes and controlling the game, so I enjoyed it.”

After being part of two disappointing performances on the road where the Hatters left empty-handed, Palmer understood just how essential it was to be able to claim a first victory since joining from the MKM Stadium. He knows his new side need plenty more of them now if they are to try and get themselves into a play-off spot that is deemed the very minimum expected this term, although admits they must find a way to break down sides who turn up at Kenilworth Road in a low block such as the Tangerines did on Saturday, continuing: “It's massive to get back on track.

"I think we've played well in the last two games, but fine margins and little things have gone against us and we lost both the games. After the week we had, we had to win and we need to back it up because we want to get in the top six and we need to show that with performances and more importantly, wins. It's tough as everyone knows how we play, we dominate the game and have more possession than anyone.

"Every team we’ve played against, the last three games we’ve dominated the ball, but then it's about penetrating and scoring goals. Clicker scored today and we’re so close to being a top, top team, there’s little things we need to tighten up on and then we'll get there. It’s been weird with the results, but I’ve enjoyed being around the team and the staff, I’ve loved it so far and hopefully it can continue.

"We know other teams are going to come here and sit back and try and play on the counter as we're good on the ball and we dominate the ball, that's what the gaffer wants us to do. We know what's coming every time we play a game and it’s just about finding those moments.”

They were able to do that on Saturday courtesy of Clark’s close range strike as his new team-mate was thrilled to see such a popular player leave with the headlines, adding: “He’s massive for the club. I’ve played against him, I know what he brings, he’s a goal threat, he works his socks off and we it’s top for him to get man of the match and score the winner.”