WHZ View: Super Scotty Parker – Top Three moments at West Ham
West Ham face off against Fulham on Saturday evening, managed by former midfield maestro Scott Parker.
Despite moving around a lot in his career, Parker made 129 appearances in claret and blue between 2007-2011. It was the most he played for any club.
The former England international performed numerous heroics in what was a very challenging time in the history of West Ham. He’s the only player to ever win the Hammer of the Year award in three consecutive seasons.
Last season, Parker led the Cottagers to the Premier League through the playoffs in his first season in management. Tomorrow will be the second time he faces the Hammers whilst in charge.
West Ham Zone have looked back on some of the highlights of Parker’s time wearing the number eight shirt in east London.
The goal against Wigan
April 2010, super Scott bagged probably his best goal in a Hammers shirt. Not only was it a cracker, but this goal spared us from relegation. It capped off a thrilling 3-2 win at home to Wigan, in front of the Bobby Moore end.
He picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and drove towards the Wigan penalty area, unleashing a 30-yard rocket with the outside of his boot into the bottom corner.
The outpouring of emotion that followed was beautiful. That was a man who loved the club and wanted nothing more than to see us safe.
His team talk at the Hawthorns
West Ham were 3-0 down away to West Brom and plummeting towards relegation. Then led by Avram Grant (sigh), the club was in a world of trouble.
Parker stepped up at half-time and gave a passionate speech to the team. It inspired three second-half goals, two from Carlton Cole and one from debutant Demba Ba, as we drew 3-3.
Speaking to BBC Sport after, Cole said: “Scott was in the zone, I’ve never seen him like that. If you’d been there, you’d have had tears in your eyes”.
Football Writers Player of the Year
In the 2010/11 season, Parker was rewarded with the FWA Player of the Year trophy for his tireless efforts. He became just the second West Ham player to ever win the award, since the late Bobby Moore in 1963/64.
He bettered competition from Nemanja Vidic, Carlos Tevez and Gareth Bale, all whilst being relegated with the Hammers finishing bottom.
If that’s not a true testament to his ability and work rate, I don’t know what is.
In other West Ham news, this duo have been nominated for the Premier League monthly awards in January.