I don't really see him covering the all action midfield role that Sandro and Parker can do, I think he's more of a like for like with Modric.
He should never have gone to the bloody Euros. He clearly wasn't fit and others pulled out players with far less significant fitness problems. With Sandro looking likely to feature for Brazil in the Olympics, we now have to hope that nothing happens to Parker's replacement. Livermore and Huddlestone do give us depth in that department, but it's hardly an ideal way to start.
We had problems putting together a midfield at the start of last season and we all know how that went
This was Parker's first, and probably last, international tournament. I think he probably wanted to be there and i think it would have been a bit unfair to pull him out if he wanted to go and felt he was ok.
He clearly wasn't ok though, Spurfectionist. No problems if he's fully fit, but why should we have to suffer from this fallout? If someone gets injured on international duty, then that's just the way that things go and an unfortunate, unavoidable problem. Parker was already injured.
maybe he said he was fine? We don't know. I can imagine he was probably quite keen to go so might've said he was ok when he wasn't
It's a pity for him and us, but as mentioned above, would have been unfair to have deprived him of the opportunity. Mind you, all-action he may have been in the Euros, but I cannot see him holding onto the England place on his recent performances. His passing was diabolical. Anyway - with Sandro and Jake both more than capable to play that DM role, we are hardly in the same position as start of last season. The fact that Hudd is also hopefully back in the mix will also take the pressure off although a different kind of MF.
Parker was wonderful last year, but he prevented Sandro from having the spot in the starting 11 he deserved. I hate to see him injured, but because it's at the position Spurs are best-stocked at, it might not be much of a negative--as long as Sandro stays healthy.
I can see him saying he was fine when he really wasn't - he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who backs down from a situation. Plus he got absolutely beaten up in every game we played! The ball to the face was hilarious though in the Ukraine match (I think)
Parker is a good player but him being injured could be good for us. Sandro offers more going forward and Livermore has come on leaps and bounds.
I'm with King on this, great ball winner and blocker but little else, tends to have a nosebleed over the halfway line, the others offer more.
It's weird though because he used to score a few good goals for WHU before he joined us. I realise we play him a bit differently but even so...
Different circs, he was West Ham! and had no choice but to create aswell, if he didn't they would have gone down sooner. A few years ago his engine would allow more box to box stuff, he's the wrong side of 30 for that now. I always felt he just bustled his way forward a bit clulessly tbh, only if it opens up for him does he make any real progress. I maintain having Parker and Modric in your front 6 puts pressure on the other 4 for goals.
I remembered him being fairly prolific at Charlton before Chelsea signed him. However, looking at wikipedia i can confirm that yet again my brain is feeding me complete ****e. Thanks brain.
