'Hopefully' - Liam Palmer addresses his future as Sheffield Wednesday crave fresh start
Sheffield Wednesday captain Liam Palmer is desperate for the club to be able to embark on a new chapter as soon as possible.
Captain Liam Palmer believes Sheffield Wednesday would benefit from having someone of his experience at Hillsborough once the club finds itself under new ownership.
Palmer has made the admission ahead of making what will be his 500th appearance for the Owls at Hillsborough against Watford this evening. He is poised to become just the fourth player in Wednesday’s history to play 500 games for the club, following in the footsteps of Andrew Wilson, Jack Brown and Alan Finney.
The versatile defender, who was given the captain’s armband following the departure of Barry Bannan in January, has seen more than most at Hillsborough, experiencing just about every possible emotion.
As a boyhood Wednesdayite, the events of the last few months have had an emotional impact on the 34-year-old, who has scored 14 goals during his Owls career. At the time of writing, US businessman David Storch, alongside Tom Costin, who is the co-founder and managing partner of Owl Ventures, as well as an investor with the Blue Crow Sports Group, is emerging as the favourite to win the takeover race.
Storch, back in December, outlined his plans to try and take Wednesday forward in the event of him securing the keys to Hillsborough, admitting it would be a long-term project. Wednesday are facing the likelihood of starting next season on -15, meaning their primary aim next term will be trying to avoid relegation to League Two.
Amid that threat, Wednesday, who are going to have to rebuild their squad this summer, may need as much experience as they can possibly get. Experience, of course, is something Palmer certainly isn’t lacking.
Palmer addresses Wednesday’s future
"It's not a question whether I want to stay here or not,” Palmer said. "I've played the most games, I'm the oldest player but I feel fit and well.
“I've been there and done it a few times in that division now so I'd like to think any new owner would like someone who knows the club but also experience around what probably will be a young team that needs a lot of players.
“I want nothing more than this club to bounce back as soon as possible. Hopefully we get the right people in to facilitate that.”
Reflecting on this season, the Wednesday skipper added: "It's any easy thing to say but without them kind of harder times, it makes you appreciate the good things that bit more. This season in particular there's been days and times where you just think, 'What else?'
“Credit to the manager (Henrik Pedersen) for his positive optimism. The results have not been anywhere near what we would expect for a Sheffield Wednesday team in the Championship.
“I'd love nothing more than to be in a really competitive team pushing at the top of the table, having a real competitive squad to enjoy every (training) session. One thing I am confident of, whoever's in the shirt while I'm here as captain will keep finding a reason to keep turning up for the fans and the club. I'll keep driving that as much as I physically can."