NOBODY likes uncomfortable office tension or conflict with a colleague. So anyone who has suffered anxiety in the workplace will have a certain sympathy with poor Aiden Palmer this week.
The flying full-back is currently on loan at Chelmsford City from Ebbsfleet United and, as luck would have it, the two sides have been drawn to play each other in the FA Cup this weekend.
But that's not where the awkwardness ends. Palmer won't be able to get a kick for either side – and he'll be training with the players who are preparing to knock his new club out in the build-up to the big game!
It's enough to make anyone get signed off with stress, but Palmer is planning to keep a low profile.
In great form for Chelmsford, although not according to the man himself, the defender scored in last Monday night's 5-2 National League South victory over Concord Rangers. It was City's fifth win in eight.
He is expecting to be grilled about where the Fleet can exploit Claret weakness and who they have to watch out for, but poor Palmer will spend some time looking for somewhere to hide.
He said: “It's fair to say it'll be a weird week, but there's no changing it, I'll try my best to keep out of everyone's way. But I think they all respect it's not your normal situation.
“It's not even worth me asking if I can play. Daryl (McMahon, the Ebbsfleet manager) won't allow it, even if I could.
“I've been told I have to be at the ground, but in all seriousness, what do I wear? I think I'll go for an Ebbsfleet tracksuit and a Chelmsford City tie!
“I'll stand right on the half-way line and avoid eye contact with anyone. It will be such a strange experience to see both my teams playing each other.
“But I'm a positive guy – the way I see it is that who else can say their team is 100 per cent guaranteed to still be in the FA Cup come Saturday evening!”
Strange
Palmer is not just a defender, he is a provider too. Setting up seven already this season for Chelmsford, top scorer Billy Bricknell is enjoying the service.
But the left-back isn't entirely convinced the enthusiastic talk about his form is totally justified.
He added: “I keep hearing people say how well I am playing and that's really nice of them, but I honestly think I'm not playing that well!
“I'm not fully into my stride yet, but I'm enjoying my football and really grateful to get a good run in the team.
“City have a strong side this year and the form is good. The club hasn't got the money like it used to, but in Mark Hawkes they have a top manager and convincing Billy to sign was big – he's such a natural finisher.”
