Delap 'still upsetting centre-backs' and Palmer 'up and running'
- Published
Former Ipswich Town defender Mick Mills praised "exceptional" Liam Delap and "brilliant" Alex Palmer for helping the Tractor Boys hold Aston Villa to a 1-1 draw in the Premier League, with just 10 men on the pitch.
Speaking on BBC Radio Suffolk's post-match show, Mills said: "We don't stop talking about Liam Delap, do we? From his very first game against Liverpool, I remember thinking: 'I like this fella.'
"He has pace, strength and courage. He has everything you want from a centre-forward basically - and I saw that on day one.
"We are in February now, away at Aston Villa, and he is still producing. He is still upsetting centre-backs and putting them on the deck. He is still high up in the charts for the most fouls in the division, which most centre-forwards would be happy about.
"He is an exceptional player, but we have known that for quite some time."
On goalkeeper Alex Palmer, who completed a deadline day transfer to Portman Road, Mills added: "First, he has shown a bit of character to be able to step into the club and take over completely.
"Secondly, I liked watching him in his warm-up, stopping and saving the balls. Straight away I thought to myself: 'This guy can shot-stop.' And he really can.
"Aston Villa didn't really make tremendous inroads when we were down to 10 men, but they did obviously have a number of opportunities and he dealt with them brilliantly. His handling of the ball and his balance looked good.
"Alex Palmer is up and running."