Scott Parker's form for West Ham could lead to a new question for
pub quizzes up and down the country if he earns another England
recall.
The 29-year-old midfielder has three caps, each while at
different clubs, and the Hammers will be a fourth should Fabio
Capello look at him as an option ahead of the World Cup in South
Africa next summer.
His form this season has seen Gianfranco Zola talk up his
skipper's chances for England, with his man-of-the-match
performance against Portsmouth on Boxing Day getting West Ham three
valuable Premier League points in their bid to climb out of
relegation trouble.
"Hopefully I can get another cap," Parker said. "We'll see
what happens. All I can do is keep playing well for West Ham and
let other people decide. If I can do that I'll see where it gets
me."
Parker struggled last season with a chronic groin problem but
has declared himself fully recovered and is feeling the benefit of
a full pre-season. He feels he is in his best form since 2005.
"During my first year at Newcastle I was playing some good
stuff and felt pretty confident there," he said. "I've realised
that when things are going well in football you have to keep the
momentum going and keep running with it. There are times when
things go bad but at the moment it's going well on a personal
level.
"I've hit a bit of good form and feel quite strong. I've not
picked up any injuries and had a good pre-season under my belt as
well. It's from that. When you're confident and playing well things
seem to happen for you."
With West Ham's financial situation uncertain, Parker has
inevitably been suggested as a possible departure from Upton Park.
Tottenham are looking for cover in central midfield and Manchester
City have also been linked with the former Charlton, Chelsea and
Newcastle man.
Spurs are West Ham's next opponents and the fixture will
bring memories flooding back for Jack Collison after his father
died following a motorcycle accident while travelling to the match
between the two clubs earlier in the season.
"Obviously for any young kid growing up, your dad is the
person that introduces you to football," Collison said. "He took me
to the park on the back of his bike, kicking the ball about.
"It's a great loss but now I have to get my head down, work
hard and keep improving because that is what he would have wanted -
for me to keep getting better and better. I'm out there playing for
him every time I go out on the pitch."
Collison has also been in good form and could have got
himself on the scoresheet against Pompey. Alessandro Diamanti and
Radoslav Kovac were the players on target in the end.
