WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker could win his sixth cap for England on Tuesday
27.03.2011
Scott Parker has remained with the England squad before Tuesday night's home friendly with fellow FIFA World Cup finalists Ghana. The Hammers midfielder is unlikely to begin at Wembley with Fabio Capello hinting that he will rest all of the first eleven from Saturday's 2-0 weekend win in Wales. That could mean that Robert Green will get a first start since last summer's finals, with Parker expected to figure off the bench for his maiden appearance at the revamped stadium. Six of the squad have been released including John Terry, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney. Speaking to the BBC, Parker has spoken about his determination to keep on playing since his father Mick passed away a week ago last Friday on the eve of the goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur. He said it was what his dad would have wanted and culminated in him earning plaudits from all quarters after his midfield display at the Millennium Stadium. He said: "I cracked on with things because I know that is what he would have wanted me to done. It is a shame that he wasn't around to see me play. That is the biggest disappointment but I am glad. He is probably looking down on me and smiling on me up there. "My father was ill for a long while. I knew he was ill. I was with him all day on Friday and I left the hospital and went to the hotel to meet up with the squad. As soon as I got to the hotel I heard he was seriously ill. "I was with him on that Friday and I know the sort of stuff he was saying to me like he would always say. Before I left him he was telling me about the game, how to play and to look forward to it. I needed to go out there for him really. "That [Tottenham match] was the one day when football didn't come into it. However bad I would have played that day I just went out there for him.
"I have just cracked on with it, sometimes it is a relief. You come into football and it takes you away a little bit. When you step out you have to deal with all the other stuff ... I have got a mum and a sister who I have to look after now. We will stay strong."
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Obinna and Ilunga triumphant
WHUFC.com
The latest round of African qualifiers finished with two more happy Hammers on Sunday
27.03.2011
Victor Obinna and Herita Ilunga were both winners in CAF 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action on Sunday. Obinna's Nigeria were 4-0 home winners against Ethiopia while Ilunga's DR Congo triumphed 3-0 at home to Mauritius. Nigeria's success means they are just a point behind Group B leaders Guinea while the Congolese have a harder task as they sit five points behind Group E's runaway side Senegal, who had Demba Ba to thank for a 1-0 win against fellow African heavyweights Cameroon on Saturday.
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Forwards fire for Carr
WHUFC.com
A strong strikeforce did the damage for the Under-18s at Little Heath on Saturday morning
27.03.2011
West Ham United Under-18s 4-0 Bristol City Under-18s
An inexperienced Academy side still proved too strong for Bristol City with four forwards in goalscoring form for Tony Carr. Danny Purdy, Elliot Lee, Dylan Tombides and Robert Hall all found the net, with the first three goals coming inside a rampant first half for the Hammers at Little Heath on Saturday. Academy Director Carr was delighted with the way his team bounced back after going down 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur the previous weekend. Carr said: "It was a good performance, especially as we had a very young team because of the reserve game on Monday. We started off really well, it was a bright start. We scored early and went on from there.
"We started in some respect like Tottenham did against us last week. It was a complete role reversal. I thought we did very well."
Irish youngster Danny Purdy broke the deadlock within the first five minutes. It came after a well-worked one-two involving Lamar Hurley and Tombides, before the ball was cut back to Purdy to fire in first time. Lee, the younger brother of Oliver, an unused substitute for Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday, hit the second with an individual goal that saw him beat a defender and score with a low finish. Tombides, who will not feature for the reserves away to Blackburn Rovers on Monday because of first-team commitments, added a well-taken third after more good work from Jake Young and Hurley down the right flank. Carr said: "We went in at half-time in complete dominance and could have had more. Bristol rarely threatened in the second half and it never lived up to the same intensity as the first half. It was nice to have a comprehensive win and a clean sheet. It boosted the lads confidence."
Hall, a late substitute, sealed the victory with a fourth after cutting inside from the right and shooting beyond the visiting keeper with his left. The clean sheet was even more satisfying as Carr tried out Paul McCallum in a centre-back role, a position he had played as a youngster, while also getting the opportunity to blood three schoolboys. As well as promising striker Lee, he introduced England Under-16 centre-back Leo Chambers and Republic of Ireland Under-17 midfielder Kieran Sadlier as replacements. "At this time of year we start to blood the young ones and see what they are about. It is a good opportunity for them and they did well."
Chambers will go off to represent England in the Victory Shield match against Scotland on Wednesday, with Carr having been without U17 duo Blair Turgott and Matthias Fanimo this weekend because of their own Young Lions commitments. Turgott scored in Saturday's 3-1 win against Northern Ireland, the first of three UEFA European Under-17 Championship Elite round fixtures between Saturday and Thursday. The next match is against Belgium on Monday. Meanwhile, midfielder Sebastian Lletget was on target for the United States Under-20s in a 3-0 friendly win against FC Dallas reserves as they warmed up for the 2011 CONCACAF U20 Championship in Guatemala. The Americans will face Surinam on Tuesday and Panama on Saturday in the group stage, with the four semi-finalists qualifying for the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia in July.
West Ham United: Mehmet, Young, Potts (Sadlier 70) , McCallum (Chambers 55) , Hunt, Powell, Hurley, Vose, Lee (Hall 80), Tombides , Purdy
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Parker's patience paying dividends
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 27th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
Scott Parker admitted that he was 'over the moon' with his part in England's comprehensive 2-0 Euro 2012 win over Wales. West Ham's vice-captain played for 89 minutes at the MIllenium Stadium as goals from Frank Lampard (penalty) and Darren Bent secured a vital qualifying win for Fabio Capello's side in the Group G clash.
Parker - winning only his fifth cap at the age of 30 - has been criminally overlooked at international level during the past two seasons by a manager unwilling to tinker with a tried and tested (and failed) midfield. But he has taken his chance with some style - something recognised by the England supporters in Cardiff yesterday who gave Parker a standing ovation as he left the field. Speaking after the game, he told reporters: "Obviously it was very pleasing. First and foremost we got three points. We've come to a very difficult place, the atmosphere was very intense but we quietened the crowd and got the three points which was crucial. "I've been quite patient. I got 45 minutes in Copenhagen and felt like I'd done well. Today I got my start and personally I'm over the moon with the way I played. But most of all we won and that's the most important [thing]; I'm in a winning team and we're top of the table."
Parker in review - what the papers say
"Scott Parker was an unqualified success as a holding midfielder - though the real test will be against genuine opponents."
- Rob Draper (Daily Mail)
"Parker sat in front of the back four as a shield and suddenly looked the natural heir to the unfortunate Owen Hargreaves. The West Ham man brought his good club form in East London to the Millennium Stadium as, playing the deeper holding role in the midfield four, he snuffed out the potential for danger promised by the great Welsh hope, Aaron Ramsey. Stuck to defensive duties so conscientiously that he had little occasion to make a telling impact in the opposition's half."
- Steve Tongue (Independent)
"Scott Parker, England's most natural defensive midfielder during the terrible injury travails of Owen Hargreaves, patrolled the centre like a diligent sentry. It was Parker's constant hounding of Wales players, notably captain Aaron Ramsey, that afforded England their midfield hegemony. Central to the 4-3-3 system in every sense, Parker impressed until departing to sustained applause from the 9,000 visiting fans, having completed 88 per cent of his 60 passes."
- Henry Winter (Telegraph)
"We've got to get away from football snobbery, we've tended to look at players who play in the Champions League and playing for the so called big clubs. Scott Parker has been playing this kind of football for the best part of two years and [his involvement with England is] too late for me. You've got to have players who are playing with confidence and playing with form."
- Stan Collymore (Talksport)
"With Parker impressive not just in his tackling (he made more passes than any other on the field) and Lampard comfortable playing in a narrow midfield three (as he does at Chelsea), Capello has a new system to work with. Young, Wilshere, Parker: post World Cup, Capello is gradually giving this team a new identity."
- Duncan White (Guardian)
"The most depressing thing about today's game is Scott Parker. By all accounts Parker was brilliant today as he is on almost every occasion for West Ham but Fabio Capello won't keep playing him. Parker should be in the England team but once Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry return the rotating and uncertainty will continue. "
- Pope and Swift
"Scott Parker worked hard + won the ball back for us nicely. Looked our most comfortable performance all round in a long time."
- Rio Ferdinand (via Twitter)
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Keane on the up
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 27th March 2011
By: Staff Writer
Robbie Keane insists West Ham have what it takes to avoid relegation at the end of the season. United went into this weekend's international break in 17th place in the Premier League, above the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference. But the Irish international - who marked his return to action with a goal in his country's 2-1 win over Macedonia last night - believes that with the quality of players at Avram Grant's disposal, avoiding the dreaded drop should be well within their grasp.
"You look at the squad of players that we have and I don't think we should be in the position that we are at the moment," he told Goals On Sunday. "But we are, that's the reality. "It's so close down there, there's seven or eight teams down there. But I think with the squad of players we have we're quite capable of staying up."
Keane, who admitted to marking Ireland's narrow win over Macedonia with 'a couple of pints' also insisted that he was delighted to be back in action - and in contention to start against Manchester United at the Boleyn next weekend. "It's nice to score goals - as a striker you're judged on scoring goals," he added. "For me it was juts nice to get out on the pitch again, it's been a frustrating couple of months. "Going to a new club and getting injured, it's not good. In your first couple of games for your new club you want to make an immediate impact and unfortunately I couldn't do that. "But I'm back now and I'm delighted to be back."
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Parker wants England chance
Midfielder feels he is in good form after impressive Wales display
Last updated: 27th March 2011
SSN
Scott Parker is hoping to be given more opportunities for England following his impressive performance against Wales. The midfielder made his England debut back in November 2003, but his appearance in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales was just his fifth for the national team. Parker has been in imperious form despite West Ham United's Premier League struggles this season and was rewarded with a start at the Millennium Stadium. The 30-year-old ran Ashley Young close for the man-of-the-match award and is now keen to establish himself in Fabio Capello's side.
Competition
"I got 45 minutes against Denmark, and I thought I did well, and it has gone well personally again against Wales," said Parker. "I just need to keep the form up and hopefully get a bit more of a chance. "There is a lot of competition but I do feel I have been in some really good form this season. "I thought the midfield combination worked pretty well. It is easy for me when you are playing with two very good players in Lamps and Jack. "It gives them licence to go forward a little bit and it makes life easier for me."
Parker feels the key to England's success was silencing the crowd with two early goals from Frank Lampard and Darren Bent. He said: "It was a very difficult place to go. First and foremost we got three points. "The atmosphere was very tense and we quietened the crowd down. We knew we had to do that and we killed the game."
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Green shoots of recovery
The Sun
Published: Today
ROBERT GREEN is set for his first England appearance since his World Cup clanger. The West Ham keeper is likely to be part of Fabio Capello's big shake-up when England face Ghana in a friendly at Wembley tomorrow. The England manager plans to field a B team and make 11 changes from the side which beat Wales 2-0. Green let Clint Dempsey's shot squirm through his hands in the 1-1 draw against America in England's World Cup opener. Capello said: "I will make 11 changes as I want to respect the clubs. I want to look at different players." The Italian will need another captain but when asked who would take the armband, he replied: "I don't know. I have to decide."
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I'm sure dad was looking down
The Sun
By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: Today
ENGLAND hero Scott Parker was choked with emotion as he spoke about his finest performance in a Three Lions shirt. It was his fifth cap and came just eight days after the death of his father, Mick. The 30-year-old had insisted on playing for West Ham against Tottenham only hours after his dad had died and the time since has been very hard. He admitted following a vital Euro 2012 win for Fabio Capello's side: "It has been a tough week. I suppose the one disappointing fact was that my dad wasn't here to see me play. "But I am sure he is looking down and is very proud. "My father had been ill for a long time and I have been dealing with that in my own way and trying to stay strong in my own way. "I was with him on the Friday and then met up with the West Ham team in the hotel. He passed away on the Friday night, so I went back to the hospital. "He would have wanted me to play on the Saturday against Spurs. I suppose it was the one time when I have gone out on a match day and whether we won, drew or lost or whether I played badly or well, it didn't really matter. "I needed to be out there for him. It sounds cliched but that's why I played. "On an England team level, we have won the game, which was massive. "It is a very difficult place to come. When the national anthems were going, it was obvious how intense it was. "The first half, we literally killed the game. Personally, it was easier for me. "I was really happy I got a start, got to play and finished up on a winning side. I took massive confidence from the second half against Denmark. "But I have taken confidence from the way I have played all year. "I feel like I am probably playing the best football of my career. "I went into the game confident and in form and, hopefully, I showed that out there. I think we can take a lot from the performance, though whenever I have played at international level it has been difficult. "There is no doubt that when we play Wales we expect to win. That's the way it is. "But in that first half we did what we did and made them look average, despite them having some very good players. "Technically, they are a good team. We had a game-plan, though. We pressed them high and they couldn't get out of their half. "I think we have to take great credit from that. We are not going to get too carried away, of course not. "But we need to look at the positives and, first half, there were massive positives."
Parker smiles when reminded of the fact four of his caps have come under different managers but does not waste time wondering why he has not had more international opportunities. He declared: "It hasn't baffled me. In football, nothing baffles me. At times, it has been a bit disappointing for me. But, as always, I have just cracked on with it and seen what happened." Even so, he is clearly gutted that, despite his current form, he is unlikely to be going to a World Cup. "I would like to think I can keep going the way I am going and doing what I am doing. If I can do that and keep impressing the right people, hopefully, I can get a few more caps under my belt. But I doubt I will go to a World Cup. "I went to the training camp in Austria last year fully expecting to try and get in the squad for South Africa. "I did everything I possibly could but it wasn't meant to be. "That's life. You need to move on but, obviously, I was disappointed. "Yet I have come back this year for West Ham and hope I can progress. "The one thing I have noticed in my career is that, when the opportunity comes, you need to try and grab it with both hands. "If you go back through my career, take the time in 2000 when I went out on loan at Norwich from Charlton and I came back and Alan Curbishley put me in the Charlton side.
"It was my one chance to get in the team and I took it. "That's the way it is for me. That's the way it always seems to be. "I thought about that before the kick-off here. "I knew I had to take my chance in this game. For definite. "Jack Wilshere and Frank Lampard helped me out and it gives them a licence to do their stuff."
Parker left the pitch before the final whistle due to an injury. It means that he is unlikely to start tomorrow night's Wembley friendly against Ghana. He revealed: "I got a knock on my shoulder and didn't strap it up because I thought I would be OK. "Then the first time I landed, I hurt it once again. I got a bit of pain in a calf as well. "I didn't want to put myself under pressure team-wise if somebody hit us on the break and I was struggling a bit."
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Parker wins praise despite personal tragedy
Published 23:00 27/03/11 By Oliver Holt
The Mirror
It was just after Scott Parker had stopped to talk that he got the kind of gesture of acceptance he has been yearning for throughout his stop-start international career.
He was standing near the dressing rooms at the Millennium Stadium, looking back with pride at a fine individual performance against Wales. He had begun to speak about his hopes for the future when Wayne Rooney walked past. Rooney did not break his stride but reached out a hand as he headed towards the team coach and flicked Parker on the ear. Parker smiled. He has always been popular with other players, a committed professional who gives everything. He is admired by the fans, too, particularly at West Ham where he has held their team together this season. Before Saturday he had played four times for England in eight years while playing for four different clubs. But he has kept fighting his way back into contention. Parker showed his strength of character again last weekend when he played for West Ham against Spurs hours after his dad Mick died. "My father has been ill for a long time and I have been dealing with that in my own way and trying to stay strong," Parker said after the Wales game. "I was with him on the Friday before our game at Spurs and then met up with the team in the hotel. "Then he passed away on the Friday night so I went back to the hospital but I knew he would have wanted me to play on Saturday. "I suppose it was the one time when I was going out on a Saturday and whether we won, lost or drew and whether I played bad or good, it didn't matter. "I needed to be out there for him. It sounds cliched but that's the reason I played."
Parker is, of course, still grieving for his father and his one regret was that his dad had not been there to see him play against Wales. Because Parker seized his chance for England with a performance that suggested he may be at the core of the side for some time. Parker was superb. He played beautifully in a holding role that demands discipline and the confidence to be self-effacing. He broke up Welsh play time after time, reading the game superbly and stifling Aaron Ramsey's fitful attempts to get into the game. And when he won the ball, he did not try to be too ambitious. He played it short to Jack Wilshere or Frank Lampard.
Capello has been searching for that kind of performance for a while. Gareth Barry seemed to be the answer but his limitations were exposed in South Africa. Barry wandered too much. He was caught out time after time, most glaringly against Germany. But with Parker content to sit in front of the back four and give Wilshere and Lampard the freedom to roam, England looked more secure. "I'd like to think if I can keep going the way I am and impressing the right people, then hopefully I can get a few more caps under my belt," he said. "My lack of opportunities hasn't baffled me. In football, nothing baffles me. At times, it has been disappointing, but I have just cracked on with it. "It was disappointing when I didn't make the final World Cup squad. I doubt I will go to a World Cup again. "So I knew that when I made the provisional squad, I went to the training camp in Austria and did everything I possibly could but it wasn't meant to be. "That's life. You need to move on. I was disappointed. But I have come back this year for West Ham and hopefully I can progress. "The one thing I have noticed in my career is that when the opportunity comes, you need to try and grab it with two hands. "I thought about that before kick-off today. I knew I had to take my chance in this game." Parker took it with style. "It's been a tough week after my father's death," he added. "I suppose the one disappointing fact was that he wasn't here to see me play today for England, but I am sure he is looking down and very proud."
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Scott Parker shines for England in Wales after death of his father
West Ham midfielder re-states his international case after more than four years following a week of personal trauma
Dominic Fifield in Cardiff
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 27 March 2011 23.01 BST
An emotional Scott Parker expressed regret that his father had not witnessed his first competitive appearance for England in more than four years but said that he had felt compelled to play on for club and country in his memory. Mick Parker passed away the night before Parker's West Ham United played Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, having failed to recover from major surgery after a long illness. Last month, Parker dedicated his goal against Liverpool to his father, and he chose to play on after his death. The 30-year-old midfielder was arguably England's most impressive player against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and he earned praise from team‑mates and management staff. "It has been a tough week," said Parker, who at one stage was excused training with the national squad, as he came to terms with his father's death. "He had been ill for a long while and passed away on that Friday," said Parker, who is a doubt for Ghana game due to shoulder and calf injuries. "I have been dealing with that in my own way, trying to stay strong in my own way, and I suppose the one disappointing fact about the Wales game for me was that [my father] wasn't here to see me play for England, but I'm sure he was looking down and was very proud.
"I'd been with him on the Friday and then met up with the [West Ham] team in the hotel ahead of the Tottenham match. He passed away late that night, so I went back to the hospital. He would have wanted me to have played on the Saturday. I suppose it was the one time I've gone out for a game and, whether we won, lost or drew, or whether I played well or poorly, it didn't really matter. I needed to be out there for him. It sounds clichéd, but that's the reason I played."
The midfielder, who has been in inspirational form at West Ham this season, on Saturday made his first competitive international start since the Euro 2008 qualifying defeat in Croatia in the autumn of 2006. He excelled in a central role that allowed Jack Wilshere and Frank Lampard greater freedom. Parker – whose first four caps were won under four managers – conceded that he had to take this chance to impress if he was to be a part of Fabio Capello's long-term plans, having endured life on the fringes of the national team for too long.
"At times it has been a bit disappointing for me, but I have just cracked on with it and seen what happens," he said. "One thing I've learnt in my career is that, when the opportunity comes, you need to grab it with two hands.
"If you go back through my career, whether it be when I went out on loan at Norwich and I came back and Alan Curbishley put me in the team at Charlton, there have been occasions like that. It was my one chance to get in the team and I took it.
"That's the way it is for me. That's the way it always seems to be. I thought about that before kick‑off on Saturday: I knew I had to take my chance in this game, for definite."
Wilshere said that Capello had shown his squad re-runs of Barcelona's recent Champions League defeat of Arsenal, in an attempt to illustrate how he wanted them to pressurise the Wales team into conceding possession. On Saturday the tactic proved spectacularly successful – particularly in the first half. "We tried to press like they do, high up the pitch," said the 19-year-old Arsenal midfielder. "Barcelona are the best at it in the world and we have to learn from teams like that. It wasn't painful for me to watch – at my age I am always learning and I can only learn from players like that."
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Wales v England: Man of the match Scott Parker at last hopes to have gained a foothold in Fabio Capello's team
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent 11:00PM BST 27 Mar 2011
Saturday's start against Wales was, for Scott Parker, his final opportunity to stake a claim to be a regular England international. "It was my one chance to get in the team and I took it," Parker said after his man-of-the-match performance in the Euro 2012 qualifier. "That's the way it is for me. That's the way it always seems to be. I thought about that before kick-off. I knew I had to take my chance in this game. For definite."
There was a clear determination in Parker's voice, a recognition that five years after his last competitive start for his country, and now aged 30, there would be no other chance. It was a case of carpe diem for the West Ham United midfielder who is one of the most popular members of Fabio Capello's squad despite having suffered one of the most irregular of international careers with his five caps in eight years under three managers. "The one thing I have noticed in my career is that when the opportunity comes, you need to try and grab it with two hands," Parker said, which has been all the more galling for him given the widely-held belief that he has not had that chance in the past. Certainly Parker came away from England's pre-World Cup training camp in Austria last year, when he was dropped for the final squad without being given any time on the field in the warm-up matches, fearing he would never play for his country again. And certainly not in a World Cup finals. "I doubt I will go to a World Cup," Parker said. "I went to Austria fully expecting to try and get in the squad. I did everything I possibly could but it wasn't to be. That's life. You need to move on. I have come back this season for West Ham and hopefully I can progress."
In fairness, this is the former Charlton Athletic, Chelsea and Newcastle United midfielder's best campaign to date which he admits himself. There is a greater consistency and discipline to his game which has convinced Capello to play him as the holding player in England's midfield. Parker has far more aggression than Gareth Barry — as he showed in hunting down Wales captain Aaron Ramsey at the Millennium Stadium — and is far more mobile. "When the national anthems were going, it was obvious how intense it was," Parker said. "In the first half, we killed the game. I have taken confidence from the way I have played all year. I feel like I am probably playing the best football of my career."
His form also persuaded Capello to change the shape of his team to accommodate Parker behind Jack Wilshere and Frank Lampard in a midfield three. "We haven't played that shape before and I think it worked pretty well. It gives them a bit of freedom to go and do their stuff going forward." Parker has also been coping with the death of his father, Mick, a week ago last Friday. "It has been a tough week," Parker said. "I suppose the one disappointing fact was that he wasn't there to see me play for England but I am sure he is looking down and is very proud." Ten days ago Parker played for West Ham, away to Tottenham Hotspur, just hours after his father's death, and added: "My father has been ill for a long time and I have been dealing with that in my own way and trying to stay strong. "I was with him on the Friday and then met up with the team in the hotel. And then he passed away that night, so I went back to the hospital. He would have wanted me to have played and I suppose it was the one time when I was going out on a Saturday and whether we won, lost or drew and whether I played bad or good, it didn't really matter. I needed to be out there for him. That's why I played." Having hopefully given himself a foothold in the England team, he will probably not face Ghana in tomorrow's friendly when Capello will make wholesale changes. Parker received "a knock" to the shoulder he damaged earlier this season and also a stiff calf. West Ham need him for next weekend's game at home to Manchester United and, more significantly, England now need him after that.
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Parker holds key if Capello is to unlock talent of Wilshere
Wales 0 England 2: West Ham holding player excels in Cardiff by bringing best out of midfield colleagues
By Sam Wallace at the Millennium Stadium
Monday, 28 March 2011SHARE PRINTEMAILTEXT SIZE NORMALLARGEEXTRA LARGE
Before last year's World Cup finals, Scott Parker was selected in the provisional squad and then ignored by Fabio Capello for the two friendlies England played at Wembley and in Austria before the cut was made and the squad went to South Africa. He was given not a single minute in which to prove himself a candidate for the final 23-man party. It was as if Capello was punishing him for something.
The England manager, we know by now, is not one who tends to consider the sensitivities of his players. As for Parker, at the age of 30 you could not have blamed him last summer for looking at his four caps – each of them won under a different manager – and calling it a day on international football. Other fringe players, such as Paul Robinson and Wes Brown, did just that in the last 12 months. Something must have told Parker to hang on.
It has taken him eight years to win five caps and on Saturday it finally felt like he might have cracked the England team. Capello switched his formation to 4-3-3, or 4-1-2-3 depending on how you viewed Parker's position, in order, the England manager said, to combat Wales's similar formation. Funny that he did not do that against Germany in the World Cup, but that is another story. Parker was promoted ahead of Gareth Barry as the holding midfielder and was the game's outstanding player.
For England this is an interesting formation that looked a good deal more sophisticated than Capello's usual humdrum 4-4-2 that can leave his players so isolated. In this system Jack Wilshere and Frank Lampard, both excellent against the woeful Welsh, were free to dominate the game. It meant that Wayne Rooney had to play wide in a front three, but equally you could see him in the central role occupied by Darren Bent in the future.
Early days yet, but for Parker it must have been extremely satisfying. The long days spent in England's pre-World Cup camp in Austria without so much as a run-out on the pitch must have been deeply frustrating. Capello's general manager, Franco Baldini, has always been an advocate of playing Parker but it seems that only recently has his boss been converted to the player's usefulness as a holding midfielder.
Parker's father Mick died ten days ago after a long illness, with his son at his bedside that Friday evening. The following day Parker played for West Ham against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. "He would have wanted me to have played," Parker said. "I suppose it was the one time when I was going out on a Saturday and whether we won, lost or drew and whether I played bad or good, it didn't really matter. I needed to be out there for him. It sounds cliched but that's the reason I played.
"It has been a tough week. My father was ill for a long while. I suppose the one disappointing fact was that he wasn't here to see me play for England but I am sure he is looking down and very proud. My father had been ill for a long time and I have been dealing with that in my own way and trying to stay strong in my own way."
Parker has come a long way since he was the 11-year-old kid in the McDonald's ad juggling the ball in his garden. He has reinvented himself as an aggressive, tackling midfielder who last Saturday took care of Aaron Ramsey, the one major threat in the Wales team. There were times when Ramsey was forced back 30 yards with Parker snapping at his heels before he could find the pass to get the ball away and out of trouble.
The new formation and Parker's key role in it asks some interesting questions of Capello too. Is this is a new way forward for England? What happens to Barry now? Against Ghana tomorrow the England manager has promised 11 changes to the XI that started against Wales. Whether he does that is debatable but it would appear that we will not really know whether he has changed his thinking fundamentally until the game against Switzerland at Wembley on 4 June.
"The one thing I have noticed in my career is that when the opportunity comes, you need to try to grab it with two hands," Parker said. "If you go back through my career, like when I went out on loan at Norwich, came back and Alan Curbishley put me in the team at Charlton. It was my one chance to get in the team and I took it. That's the way it is for me. That's the way it always seems to be. I thought about that before kick-off. I knew I had to take my chance in this game. For definite."
It is never more the case than in international football, when the team can change so radically from game to game. Andy Carroll faces the same kind of opportunity against Ghana: he is young so he will presumably get more chances, but then Parker probably thought the same when he played his first game for England just five weeks after his 23rd birthday back in 2003.
Carroll will have to do well if he is to take the mantle of Peter Crouch as England's go-to big man. On Saturday, the Spurs man with 22 goals in 42 caps for England was not even deemed worthy of a place on the bench.
If Carroll starts tomorrow then it will probably be alongside Jermain Defoe. With six players pulled out of the squad yesterday, the team selection for the Ghana match is looking increasingly like a sop to the clubs in the hope they will play ball with Capello over the last 16 months of his reign as manager.
With Parker at the helm Saturday's Group G Euro qualifier was won inside 15 minutes. First James Collins collided with Ashley Young to concede an early penalty that Lampard converted, then Bent tucked away his second goal in two games from Young's cross.
Parker was later asked if he ever wondered why it has taken so long. "In football, nothing baffles me," he said. "At times it has been a bit disappointing, but as always I have just cracked on with it and seen what happens." In Cardiff, it all happened for him.
Subs: Wales Evans (Morison, 66), Vaughan (King, 66). Unused Myhill (gk), Eardley, Gabbidon, Allen, Church. England Milner (Rooney, 70), Downing (Wilshere, 82), Jagielka (Parker, 88) Unused Green (gk), Lescott, Defoe, Carroll.
Booked: Wales Crofts, Ledley, Vaughan, Bellamy, J Collins. England Rooney, Johnson
Man of the match Parker Match rating 5/10.
Possession Wales 45% England 55%.
Attempts on target Wales 0 England 5.
Referee O Benquerenca (Por). Att 68,959.
Man-for-man marking
By Steve Tongue
England
Joe Hart
Not given a shot to save, only corners and occasional crosses, which he dealt with well, punching firmly. Kicking less certain at times 6/10
Glen Johnson
Like the match, his afternoon could have been a different tale with Gareth Bale playing. Eased through it and played a superb ball to Young for second goal 7
Michael Dawson
Quietly efficient alongside Terry and caught only once, when Morison turned him in the first half. No chances at the other end from set-pieces 6
John Terry
After two assured performances in midweek media conferences, he produced another one where it really matters. Even set up the opening goal when pushing forward 8
Ashley Cole
Held his own after a couple of feisty clashes when Bellamy started down his flank. Involved in the move for the first goal and might have expected more attacking success later 6
Scott Parker
Emerging as the most natural holding midfielder since Owen Hargreaves, he did his job perfectly in winning the ball and playing it short. Deserves long run 9
Frank Lampard
Even more than Wilshere, he benefited from being allowed to play further forward than in recent internationals, with Parker offering security behind him 7
Jack Wilshere
Demonstrated his astonishing maturity again, keeping his head amid some heavy tackling and playing through-balls only a fraction too heavy for Bent 7
Ashley Young
Had earned his place with a good display in Denmark and justified it by dominating the hapless Danny Collins. Won the penalty and crossed for second goal 8
Darren Bent
Growing in confidence as an international, he led the line and held the ball up to good effect. Positional sense brought another poacher's goal 7
Wayne Rooney
Can cope playing wide on the left but not on the right, and familiar frustration set in after switching. Two wild fouls brought booking and suspension 5
Substitutes
James Milner
Tightened up midfield
for last 20 minutes 6
Stewart Downing
One good effort n/a
Phil Jagielka
Late entrance n/a
Wales
Wayne Hennessey
A strange afternoon for the Wolves goalkeeper: no chance with either goal but barely a save to make otherwise despite England's domination 6/10
Chris Gunter
Happier against Rooney than Young, he managed to get forward down the right occasionally but had little joy having done so6
James Collins
Will have to face some stick from Villa team-mates Young and Bent later this week after struggling against both. Clumsy foul to concede penalty6
Ashley Williams
Was too busy trying to stop Bent's runs to help overstretched team-mate Danny Collins on his left deal with Young. A difficult day for the Swansea City centre-half 6
Danny Collins
Dreadful afternoon for the left-back, who was constantly caught out of position, as when Johnson's pass down the line sent Young away to create the second goal 4
Andrew Crofts
Looked a dogged workhorse, who occasionally got close enough to an England midfielder to whack him. Rightly booked for one of his fouls5
Joe Ledley
Cardiff followers will have been disappointed by their former hero's efforts alongside Crofts. He is used to easier days than this at Celtic5
Craig Bellamy
The most likely source of inspiration for Wales, he came into the game more in the second half, playing a couple of neat passes inside Cole 6
Aaron Ramsey
Did Gary Speed ask too much in adding the captaincy to his playmaker role? Utterly outshone by club-mate Wilshere5
Andy King
Surprisingly picked ahead of David Vaughan in a position he is unfamiliar with on the left of midfield, the Leicester man was rarely in the game5
Steve Morison
Former England non-League striker looked out of his depth, admittedly with little support from his midfield or wide players. No goals after six caps 5
Substitutes
David Vaughan
An improvement
on King 6
Ched Evans
Had no more success up front than Morison 5
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Jamie Redknapp: Wilshere and Parker are made for each other
By JAMIE REDKNAPP Last updated at 1:51 AM on 28th March 2011
Daily Mail
The highlight of England's victory in Wales was the successful partnership of Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Scott Parker of West Ham in central midfield. They complement each other; Parker gives Wilshere the platform to attack and create at the top end of the pitch, Wilshere always makes himself available and creates angles to demand the ball, always providing an outlet. Neither went to the World Cup finals, now both have been given the opportunity to prosper, in a 4-3-3 formation. They are made for the system and made for each other. The Arsenal midfielder glides all round the pitch; he can take the ball under pressure, on the half turn, and plays with his head up. He is comfortable on the ball and dangerous when it is at his feet, which is why he should not be wasted in the holding role; let's push him further up the pitch, where he can hurt the opposition. He's a very special player and England are right to look for a system that brings the best out of him. He knows where he is on the pitch and he knows what's on around him. It's a joy to watch him play. He took advantage of the fact Wales didn't seem to want to upset anyone. They showed England too much respect. I understand he will want to play for the Under 21s in the European Championship - and I can see why Stuart Pearce wants him there - but let's wrap him in cotton wool and give him the summer off. He needs to be nurtured, because he can be a top England player for the next 10 years if we look after him. He has a swagger and edge to his game too, although it is nothing nasty and his temper seems controlled and unlikely to jeopardise his team. He is a very impressive footballer.
SCOTT PARKER
Every team needs one. Now England have one. We should call Scott Parker 'The Fireman', because that's what he is so good at doing: putting out fires for England.
Parker's job is to protect and to win the ball. Ask the England central defenders if he did his job on Saturday. He won the ball and looked assured and comfortable in front of the defence. He has had the season of his life for West Ham - he has dragged them back into contention for survival - and he has now taken that form on to the international stage. He looks at home and should have been given the chance before, in the World Cup. England were very comfortable in Cardiff, but they had players in the positions they occupy for their clubs - Parker, Wilshere and Frank Lampard, whose penalty gave them the start they wanted. England never looked back. You have to earn the right to play in these games and the energy from Parker's performance gave England that platform.
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Wilshere and Parker point England's way ahead
By Mike Collett
19:38 BST, Sat 26 Mar 2011
Reuaters.co.uk
CARDIFF, March 26 (Reuters) - Frank Lampard and Darren Bent gave England an easy 2-0 win over Wales in their Euro 2012 qualifer but midfielders Scott Parker and Jack Wilshere got most of the plaudits after Saturday's one-sided victory. The 19-year Wilshere and Parker, 30, may be at opposite ends of their careers in terms of their ages but they gave the England midfield a fresh and balanced approach, winning only their third and fifth caps respectively. England were far too good for the home side, ranked 116th in the world by FIFA, who improved in the second period following a woeful opening half but never looked like saving the game after Lampard's seventh minute penalty and Bent's 15th minute strike. Wales had suffered a big blow with the absence of their best player Gareth Bale, who has a hamstring injury, but even his presence would have been unlikely to change the outcome. England coach Fabio Capello, as staunch an advocate as anyone in world football of 4-4-2, changed his formation to 4-3-3 with Wilshere, Parker and Lampard playing in midfield and Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent and Ashley Young in attack.
It worked perfectly albeit against inferior opponents. Capello stressed to reporters after the game that he used that system after studying the way Wales played in their first match under their new coach Gary Speed. Whether he keeps it for Tuesday's friendly against Ghana, when he will make 11 changes to his lineup, is doubtful. "I decided on the formation after watching games that Wales played. It is really good because players like Ashley Young are improving a lot. I'm happy with the spirit, we worked together to win back the ball, each player helping the others," he said.
AGE-OLD DEBATE
Wilshere and Parker gave a glimpse of a future freed of the seemingly age-old debate about whether Steven Gerrard and Lampard can play together in midfield or whether Gareth Barry is really the answer to the perennial left-sided problem. Gerrard, out with injury, clearly still has an England future, as does Lampard, but Barry, 30, was not even on the bench on Saturday and after some fairly anodyne performances for his country, he is unlikely to add to his 45 caps. Parker, almost single-handedly leading West Ham United's fight against relegation from the Premier League this season, had an outstanding game as the holding midfielder.
He made the most passes on the pitch -- 60 excluding crosses, completing 53 of them for an 88 percent success rate. Wilshere, as he has done several times for Arsenal this season, gave a polished performance that belied his age and experience and clearly impressed Capello. Before Saturday, he had only played 53 minutes for England in his two previous appearances but more are likely to come very quickly.
EXCELLENT WILSHERE
"Wilshere's performance during this season has been incredible. The performance of this player has improved so much in such a short time. He played like a player of 28 or 29 with 35 or 40 caps. I hope he will keep on improving, good players always improve," Capello told reporters. "I spoke to Arsene (Wenger) about him and he agrees. He was excellent again today." England captain John Terry said Capello's tactics to stop Wales playing their way out of defence worked perfectly, especially after the visitors took an early grip on the game, "The new system was very positive, the attitude was to get at them and press them very high up the pitch. It stopped them breaking out early," he said. Wales manager Gary Speed said the early goals sent Wales reeling but they improved after the break. "I'm disappointed with the first-half performance. We are a developing team and used to getting beat. We have not got that winning mentality at the moment. "Losing a goal in the first five minutes killed us really. But we were much better in the second half, I was very pleased and proud of the way we played."
Lampard put England ahead from the spot after James Collins tripped his Villa team mate Young to concede the penalty, while striker Bent scored eight minutes later, sweeping home a cross from his club mate Young. Those goals subdued the atmosphere leaving Welsh fans facing the stark reality that not only have their team got no chance of reaching the finals in Poland and Ukraine next year but hopes of reaching the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 are also slight. "Thats our aim," said Speed. "I hope we can learn from this and it will help us in getting to the World Cup."
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