Saturday 1 January 2011

Keeping hold of Scott Parker in January is vital for West Ham's survival bid

Parker is attracting interest from around the Premier League.

With only one game left in the busy football festive season West ham can rightly be pleased with their efforts so far.

The east London club have picked up eight points in their last four games and have moved out of the relegation zone in the process.

And while the New Year’s Day win over Wolves was vital, January 1 marked the start of another battle that West Ham must win if they are to build on their marked improvement.

That battle is to keep hold of Upton Park talisman Scott Parker from the clutches of former Irons boss Harry Redknapp, during the January transfer window.

 Tottenham’s interest in the England midfielder is well documented and Redknapp is a keen admirer of the midfield enforcer. But West Ham must do all they can to keep hold of the player who provides with the determination and drive they need to stay up.

Against Wolves Parker was at his usual best and while it was not the match winning contribution some have come to expect it is the way he goes about his football that is so important to the Hammers.

The former Charlton midfielder ran all day for his manager and put challenges in all over the field. He hustled and harried the visitors for 90 minutes, without fail and it inspired his teammates to follow suit.

It was a mark of the man when he was clattered into by Wolves defender Richard Stearman with a reckless challenge but Parker made no complaints and got up and continued where he had left of just before the tackle.

It has been regular viewing for the Upton Park faithful all season.

Parker has been exceptional this season and the player, who has three caps for his country, has been unlucky not to add more appearances for the Three Lions to his name. He has made 23 appearances for West Ham in all competitions this season and in everyone he has given his all to the cause.

While he may not be the type of player to glide past four players and slot a cool finish past a keeper, he more than makes up for it with his guts and determination.

The stats do not even make for good reading as West Ham’s win percentage with Parker in the side is only 27 per cent and he has only scored 8 goals in 95 league appearances since joining for £7 million from Newcastle in 2007.

But this season the former Chelsea star’s stats have improved staggeringly as he has contributed six goals in all competitions so far.

The 30-year-old gives a team much more than just goals though and with things going badly all around him, up until now, he is the man that stands toe to toe with the opposition.

It is plain for all to see why Redknapp would want to add Parker to his ever improving Spurs side.

But David Sullivan and David Gold must do all they can to repel any advances made for their star man because losing him would represent a huge blow to the Irons squad.

And with things improving on the pitch for West ham it is vital they do not take any steps back off it by cashing in on an asset.

Parker has proved his worth to West Ham by scoring a vital goal in the 3-2 win against Wigan that helped keep them up last season and if her remains in the claret and blue  it would provide a massive boost to the Hammers survival bid this year.

If they do manage to keep hold of him during January it could represent the club’s best piece of January business.

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