Kasey Palmer says April was the month “everything clicked into gear” at Luton Town after the loan playmaker was named Sky Bet League One Player of the Month following a stunning personal end to the season.
The 29-year-old, who joined the Hatters on loan from Hull City in January, scored five goals in five starts during April, also registering an assist as Luton launched a dramatic late push towards the play-offs.
Palmer was central to the club’s resurgence under manager Jack Wilshere, producing decisive moments in key matches, including two goals at Rotherham United and the late winner against Barnsley that took the promotion race down to the final day.
He also starred at Wembley Stadium as Luton beat Stockport County FC 3-1 to lift the Vertu Trophy.
But, reflecting on the award, Palmer told the club’s website: “It’s been a memorable month for so many reasons, but to go on an unbeaten run as we did and take the play-off push to the very last seconds of the season was a credit to everyone at the club.
“I’ve loved every moment of my loan and April was the month in which everything clicked into gear. I’ve enjoyed contributing with goals and assists but I was only a small part of a great overall effort by the whole team and staff.”
Wilshere believes Palmer’s impact stretched far beyond goals and assists, praising both his influence around the training ground and his ability to deliver in defining moments.
“We all love Kasey and what he brings to the environment, not just on the pitch but off it, too,” said the Town boss.
“He has led by example with his performances and creativity, and the goals were an added bonus.
“He came up with them at important times, like his two at Rotherham and the winner against Barnsley to take us into the final day with something to aim for, and we’re proud that he’s enjoyed the most prolific spell of his football career with us.”
Palmer’s form quickly made him a fans’ favourite at Kenilworth Road, with supporters regularly chanting for the club to sign him permanently during the closing weeks of the campaign, and echoing those sentiments on social media too.
His eight-goal return since arriving in Bedfordshire represented the best scoring spell of his career, while his creativity and ability to carry the ball through midfield gave Luton a different dimension during their surge up the table.
Although the Hatters ultimately fell agonisingly short of the play-offs despite winning 3-2 at Bolton Wanderers on the final day with a late Shaydon Morris winner, only for Stevenage to beat Wigan and edge them out in the play-offs by one point, Palmer’s contribution was widely viewed as one of the defining reasons the club even entered the conversation after a difficult winter period.
Sky Sports EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Kasey Palmer made a real difference to the second half of Luton’s season and very nearly helped them grab the final Play Off place in League One. He had a real impact in front of goal in April, with five goals and an assist.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies added: “Luton came into the season as one of the pre-season favourites but a disappointing start to the campaign left them with plenty of ground to make up in the race for the play-offs.
“However, thanks in large part to the standout performances of Kasey Palmer, Luton finally found their rhythm late in the season and mounted a strong push during April. Palmer was at the centre of that revival, contributing five goals and one assist across the month as the Hatters surged up the table.”
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