The FWA (Football Writers’ Association) announced that West Ham’s Scott Parker had been voted 2011 Footballer of the Year. One of the most consistent midfielders during the past seasons, Parker, faced serious competition from Arsenal’s Samir Nasri and Tottenham’s Gareth Bale (named last week the PFA Player of the Year).
The player will receive the prestigious award at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on 12th May. Parker’s displays have been very impressive this season indeed, earning a recall for Englands’s clash against Wales in the process.
When you look at the table and see West Ham battling to avoid relegation, you begin to realize that Parker’s award is even more impressive. It has been a terrible season for West Ham and without Parker one could say that they would have already been relegated, if it hadn’t been for the hard-working midfielder.
According to premierleague.co.uk, FWA chairman Steve Bates said:
“Scott Parker has been so consistent this season with his performances in a West Ham team battling for Barclays Premier League survival and as such has forced himself back into the England national set-up. He has been an inspirational figure for the Irons and hopefully his professionalism will be rewarded with West Ham staying up at the end of the season.In what was one of the tightest votes of recent seasons, Scott is certainly a worthy winner and follows in the footsteps of a long line of superb footballers who have been given this prestigious honour.”
Parker must now focus on his team’s final games. West Ham have 5 games remaining to avoid relegation, first at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, then at City of Manchester stadium, against the Citizens. For the last three games of the season, West Ham will battle with fellow-relegation rivals Blackburn (home), Wigan (away) and Sunderland (home).
Dear fans have your say! Do you think Parker deserves the award? Can West Ham be saved from relegation? Do you think Parker will leave if West Ham are relegated?
