Parker – signing of the season?
by our special correspondent
There can’t have been many better signings this summer than Scott Parker and the Tottenham midfielder is proving to be one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers so far this season.
The former Chelsea and West Ham man has not put a foot wrong since stepping into the Spurs midfield after joining before transfer deadline, and boss Harry Redknapp hasn’t been shy in declaring his admiration for the England player.
For me, it was a mystery why he hadn’t been snapped up before the end of August but to his credit, Parker got his head down, didn’t moan and started the season in the Championship with the Hammers, quickly proving what an excellent player he is.
He finally got their top flight move he desired and after another stunning performance in the 3-1 win over QPR yesterday, Redknapp dared to mention Parker’s name in the same sentence as Spurs legend Dave Mackay. Some praise indeed.
"Parker was just amazing, I haven't seen many displays like that," he told the BBC after yesterday’s London derby.
"You hate to mention anyone in the same breath as Dave Mackay, who was one of finest players at this club, but it was right up there with the best.
"Dave would have been proud of that performance. He won every tackle, he broke things up, his all round play was top class. He's made a big difference."
To think that Parker swapped East London for North for a fee of just £5m is staggering in itself and his influence on the team has been remarkable. Since making his debut against Wolves at the start of September, Spurs have emerged victorious six times out of seven in the Premier League, lifting them up to fifth in the table with a game in hand.
And Redknapp is convinced that in Parker, he has a major piece of the Tottenham jigsaw sitting in the centre of midfield.
"I said to the chairman during the summer the one player I wanted was Scott Parker,” continued the man tipped by many to be the next England manager.
"Forget looking for £20m players or anything else, Scott Parker is what we need at this football club. He'll make a difference to this club and this team and that's what he has done."
If Spurs can keep the spine of their team fit for the rest of the season – and by spine I mean Ledley King, Parker and Rafael van der Vaart – they could really do something special.
While soccer betting pundits believe that catching both Manchester clubs may be a step too far, don’t be surprised if Spurs finish in a coveted top four position and lift a trophy come May. And if they do, Parker will have played a major part.
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