Scott Parker stepped out for England last Saturday against Wales, as he left the field, he became subject to some rave reviews, and rightly so. Parker looked comfortable in an England shirt; he looked at home in the centre of the park, you’d be forgiven for thinking that he was a regular under Capello. His performance enhanced his reputation as a combative player who wears his heart on his sleeve, and furthermore offered proof that the likes of Lampard, and Barry should be looking over their shoulders at the likes of Parker.
The only problem that stands in Parker’s way is his age. At 30, starting an international career is no easy task, especially with the rapid emergence of Jack Wilshere, and Capello’s likening of Gareth Barry, a player who is enforced into a similar role but with much more experience under his belt.
But Parker should not be pushed aside. It is true that he is inexperienced on the international stage, only making a handful of caps throughout his career, but no one has been as consistent as he has for his club over the last three years.
West Ham Utd are a team that has been flirting with relegation for a while now, it all started way back when Carlos Tevez was there to almost single handily rescue them from the drop in his final game. After that, Tevez was on his way to bigger and brighter things, West Ham Utd were left facing a stiffer test. Enter Scott Parker.
In the last three years, West Ham have looked odds on favourite to be relegated, come Christmas time, fans identify them as an easy three pointer due to what has often been a poor start to the season, often resulting in the loss of a manger. Think Gianfranco Zola, and the way he was replaced by Avram Grant.
Despite the somewhat overwhelming odds, and the constant pressure that is placed on the manger, West Ham somehow manage to pull themselves out of it, and remain a Premier League Club. At the end of it all though, one name stands out above the rest. Not the manager’s name no, more so that of Scott Parker.
The journalists must fear that they will one day run out of superlatives to describe the performances, “spirited” “inspirational” “ a true leader” to name a few. When the team has come under criticism for their effort and their motivation, dedication, it is Scott Parker that is called upon to take the team by the scruff of the neck and truly inspire them, sometimes even turning over a result almost on his own.
Recently Parker was reported to have given the half time team talk during their fixture against West Brom, in which they found themselves 3-0 down at half time, only to pull it back to 3-3. His dedication on and off the field is unmatched; his importance to West Ham is unquestionable.
His commitment to the team is also unquestionable, when the team has been at its lowest; he stood by and opted to fight for them instead of jump ship
At the end of every season in the last three years, Parker has been voted the fans player of the year, and deservedly so.
It is that spirit, that graft and effort, that dedication, that inspirational willingness to play and more importantly to win that makes Scott Parker stand out from the rest.
Give him a chance to show it for England, and inspire the next generation of English football.
Dale Benton