Scott Parker - your thoughts....

Hi all,

Putting his average display at the weekend to one side (dominated by Cheik) - Just wanted to get a quick discussion going on what people thought of Scott Parker during his time at Newcastle.

The fans I speak to seem to be in two v distinct camps:

1) Scott Parker was the best player at the club when he was here, was a big loss.

2) Scott Parker was rubbish, and all he did was turn round and round in the midfield.

So what are your thoughts? Did you like him when he was here?

My opinion was that he was absolutely immense in his first season with us, and I think he won player of the season. His protection of the back 4 was class, and when he was playing with an attacking partner in the middle (e.g. Emre) it was a formidable partnership.

His last season (when everyone started to get on his back) was difficult, he was stuck in the centre next to Nicky Butt, and had no complementary attacking partner. As a result his much debated "Pivoting" went from being "He keeps the ball well" to "he's going nowhere" very quickly. But I still think this was a symptom of the static team he played in with no outlets, and it's better to keep the ball than pass to someone in a bad position.

Finally, he always gave 100% - and I don't think you can ever criticise a player if they give 100% - blame the manager for selecting them if they;re not good enough, but the player is trying his best. There was a game against Arsenal when he was by far the best player on the pitch, got knocked out and his front 2 teeth knocked out but he kept going. Immense.

I wouldn't have him back, but I thought he was a fantastic player back then.

So I think it's strange that some fans hated him so much - so what are peoples thoughts?

 

Was brilliant for us, 100% every game. Proper leader and deserved the captaincy. Always found it funny when he kept going around in circles haha. Put was one of my favourite players and was gutted when he left

 

I've always had half an eye on him watching his progress since Charlton days, he was a good young player with potential, he just didn't fill it to the brim.

For us, I didn't think he was anything special... He just put the decent tackle in and that was all he offered us. Over-hyped captain of nufc

 

Really liked him when he was with us and I still do. 100% player and will run through brick walls for his team.

 

This. He is inspirational and gets the team going. Scored a few goals for us aswell

 

At least a few fans seem to share my positive opinion of him! He really does divide opinion. I wouldn't find it so strange if some people were just indifferent but he seems to be a marmite player!

 

Scott 'the Crab ' Parker. Sideways and Backwards.
100% committed tho ill give him that

 

He hardly ever had a bad game for us did he? So not so sure why people think he did badly. Got his autograph and a little 10 second chat with him and seems like a canny down to earth lad aswell

 

When he first arrived I thought he was excellent, always gives his all and really is a true leader, but I think before he left he started to stagnate and my main gripe was that he never passed the ball forwards only backwards.

Didnt think Tiote dominated him on Sunday either I actually thought Parker had a decent game. Still a good player.

 

Yeah, wasn't as bad as people made out. Wasn't worth the 8 out of 10 he got in the paper though haha

 

Never heard too many boos at the weekend for him so I think most people appreciated that he always tried hard

 

I think he's good, but overhyped.

 

There was a game against Liverpool (I think we still lost like) when he was immense and completely played their midfield off the pitch...Used to be footage of it on youtube but was removed...Summed him up for me and he was easily my favorite player at that time!

 

Not as overhyped as Bale haha

 

His best game was against Arsenal when we won 1-0. Got kicked all over and eventually had to go off after he got studs in his gob haha

 

Yeah I think it's harsh to blame his declining form solely on him though, I thought the team he ended up playing in at the end was very poor and stagnant and it didn't work playing him and Butt in the centre as both were defensive mind - hence why he struggled with the forward passes. I feel he did his job, but the rest of the team didn't do theirs.

He was ok on Sunday, but Tiote was better I thought - he's been good for Spurs and I think it shows he's good if he has creative players around him.

 

Anyone remember the game against Fulham where he pretty much took them on single handed? Scored the goal to make it 1-0 - then he got taken off shattered, exhausted and injured with about 10 mins to go and we conceded 2 in the last 10 mins, losing 2-1. Gutted.

 

Yep a certain Wayne Routledge changed that game haha

 

always reminded me of Ray "the crab" Wilkins
good player but he ain't no David McCreery

 

You forgot always on his backside. Supermac on Legends phone in probably summed it up best. If he stayed on his feet he would be a much better player. He now does and therefore now is a better player.