Park Life » Scott Parker Syndrome
Parker in his West Ham days, Image: wonker via flickr Creative Commons
An unexpected side-effect of Fleet Street’s perfect storm of intrigue and upheaval, which saw Harry Redknapp acquitted over tax-evasion charges, John Terry stripped of the England captaincy and Fabio Capello resign in response to the FA’s decision, is that the nation’s collective bout of Scott Parker syndrome seems to have gone from bad to worse.
With the armband once more available and no obvious alternative to the twice-deposed Terry presenting itself, the combination of Redknapp as manager and Parker as captain is widely seen as a powerful English antidote to the fusty Italian and his erstwhile loutish sidekick. This proposed alliance of two tabloid favourites and former West Ham icons has, quite mystifyingly, been received with rather more enthusiasm than a white van man’s ultimate wet dream deserves. Such a pungent expression of patriotism is not to be taken lightly, signalling as it does the misguided belief that sheer desire trumps all other concerns.
The inexorable rise of Scott Parker in the public’s estimation has troubled me for some time, as the tough-tackling dynamo has become the poster boy for gritty English passion in the increasingly cosmopolitan Premier League. His reputation as a capable midfield general has deservedly been revived since the dark days at Chelsea and Newcastle, where his early promise was mislaid amidst the wreckage of both clubs’ spending sprees, but, in seeking to applaud the often underappreciated aspects of the game which he represents, many have overstepped the mark.
Parker is widely revered as something of a throwback to the days of yore, a wistful reminder of when pitches were bobbly, tackles were strong but fair, foreigners were virtually absent, and a dogged English spirit prevailed. Perhaps it’s no surprise that he has acquired this status as the last bastion of our stout-hearted masculine ideal given his somewhat anachronistic appearance. From his plain black boots and unfussy playing style to his weather-beaten face and sharp side-parting, there is an essential dignity in Parker’s distinctly old school inclinations which understandably sees nostalgic yearnings for alpha males of the past projected onto him.
It was during his spell at West Ham that Scott Parker syndrome, once a fringe affliction, began to spread rampantly through the mainstream. Named Hammer of the Year for three of his four seasons at Upton Park, Parker benefited from being comfortably the best player in an inconsistent team whose very nadir, relegation to the Championship last year, was to prove his personal highlight. Thriving on the adversity of playing in such an error-strewn and rudderless team, Parker usurped the placidly ineffective Avram Grant to become the club’s de facto leader, even delivering the team talk which supposedly left Carlton Cole with a tear in his eyes and sparked a second half comeback away to West Brom.
West Ham’s poor form saw Parker enhance his reputation through shows of defiant and purposeful play, further elevated in the public’s imagination by the knowledge that they were to no avail. The popular view that he singlehandedly railed against the dying of West Ham’s light gave an almost tragic edge to the season’s end, as the Premiership’s monument to manliness was forced to confront relegation with due steely eyed stoicism.
As Parker’s fortunes seemingly bore an inverse relationship to those of the club he played for, it was only fitting that in a year in which West Ham were relegated he should have a long awaited recall to the international setup and be named the Football Writers’ Player of the Year ahead of arguably more deserving candidates. Following these accolades Parker’s stock is now at an all-time high, and, given Wayne Rooney’s impending suspension, Steven Gerrard’s fitness worries and Rio Ferdinand’s increasingly poor form, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if he was made captain. However, it would indicate a worrying continuation of media led consensus and a belief that national pride and chest-thumping passion is sufficient to overcome England’s many shortcomings.
4 responses below. Comments are open.
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Good article but I want to point out a few things. Scott Parker is a great passer of the ball and delivers a fair share of assists when he’s allowed to get forward. What people ‘like’ about him is not so much his ‘chest-thumping passion’ as his honesty. Given the off-field antics of the likes of Terry, Rooney, Crouch etc., it’s nice to see a hard working family man who actually tries to be a role model for younger generations. Given the English reputation abroad as hooligans and drunkards, he’s bringing a bit of pride back to what it actually means to be English.
Also, you’ve forgot to mention his fantastic performances for spurs which have seen them climb the table and actually mount a challenge. He’s given them real bite and assurance in midfield. This season he was named November Premier League player of the month as well don’t forget. I think he deserves the captaincy, and not because I have ‘scott parker syndrome’, but because he deserves it on merit and the example he sets on and off the field.
Very harsh on a player who has performed well in the few times he’s played for England, has been an integral player at every club in his career bar Chelsea, and has performed admirably and consistently throughout the 2011/12 season. The same certainly can’t be said for the Lampards, Gerrards and Ferdinands of the England side. By far and away England’s top candidate for the captaincy, based on performance, leadership qualities and reliability.
Also, agree with Phil wholeheartedly.
Good article. Scott Parker must be the most overrated player in the Premier League. When I used to watch him play for Newcastle he certainly had admirable qualities but he is woefully short of skill. A regular place in the England first 11 is a step too far for him. He may be ‘industrious’ but the likes of Spain and Germany will rip him apart.
I wouldn’t like to deride Scott Parker or his many, many attributes – not least his professionalism and consistency.
He is a reliable team player, and would be a great on-field leader for an England team that too often loses its way in the face of adversity.
However I really worry that too much hope is being put upon him. Parker is no game changer, no match winner, and too often England’s media and fanbase have been down this road – anyone remember not too long ago, just before a major international tournament, England’s expectations resting almost solely on one Gareth Barry?