Source: Daily_Mail
Scott Parker: That performance was for you, Dad
Scott Parker admits his late father, Mick, 'would have been looking down and very proud' after helping England to victory over Wales in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Cardiff on Saturday.[LNB]Parker produced an impressive performance in the holding midfield role as England triumphed 2-0 through goals from Frank Lampard and Darren Bent.[LNB]But Parker's thoughts were not far from his dad who died on Friday last week after a long illness.[LNB] Opportunist: Scott Parker seized his chance in the starting line-up [LNB] He bravely turned out for West Ham at Tottenham last weekend and went through the same process to help England return to the top of their qualifying group.[LNB]Parker said: 'It has been a tough week. My father was ill for a long while.[LNB]'I suppose the one disappointing fact was that he wasn't at Cardiff to see me play for England but I am sure he would have been looking down and been very proud.[LNB]'I have been dealing with that in my own way and trying to stay strong in my own way.[LNB]'I was with him on Friday and then met up with the West Ham team in the hotel and played.[LNB]'He would have wanted me to have played on Saturday.[LNB]'I suppose it was the one time when I was going out on a Saturday whether we won, lost or drew, and whether I played bad or good, it didn't really matter.[LNB] Holding the fort: Parker excelled in a defensive midfield role[LNB] 'I needed to be out there for him. It sounds cliched but that's the reason I played.'[LNB]Parker had earned four caps under four different managers before yesterday and suffered the disappointment of being overlooked for last summer's World Cup after being in the provisional squad.[LNB]But he was aware of the importance of impressing yesterday if he is to carve out an elongated international career.[LNB]He said: 'The one thing I have noticed in my career is that when the opportunity comes, you need to try and grab it with two hands.[LNB]'If you go back through my career, whether it be when I went out on loan at Norwich and I came back and Alan Curbishley put me in the team at Charlton, that has happened.[LNB]'I knew it was my one chance to get in the team and I took it. That's the way it is for me. That's the way it always seems to be.[LNB]'I thought about that before kick off in Cardiff. I knew I had to take my chance in this game. For definite.[LNB]'I took massive confidence from the second half against Denmark last month. I have taken confidence from the way I have played all year.[LNB] Form of his life: Parker feels he is playing the best football of his career[LNB] 'I feel like I am probably playing the best football of my career.[LNB]'I went into the Wales game confident and in form and hopefully I showed that out there.'[LNB]When asked about his lack of England chances, Parker said: "It probably hasn't baffled me. In football, nothing baffles me.[LNB]'At times, it has been a bit disappointing for me but, as always, I have just cracked on with and seen what happens.[LNB]'It was disappointing not to get picked for the World Cup.[LNB]'I did everything I possibly could but it wasn't meant to be. That's life. You need to move on.[LNB]'I have come back this year and done well for West Ham and hopefully I can progress.[LNB]'I would like to think that I can keep going the way I am going and do what I am doing.[LNB]'If I can do that and keep impressing the right people, then hopefully I can get a few more caps under my belt.'[LNB] Phone a friend! More humiliation for Rio as Gerrard reveals Capello's captaincy callBent urges Villa chiefs to keep hold of United and Liverpool target YoungKeane urges disciplinary rethink after Dunne out of next Euro 2012 gameAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Darren Bent, Alan Curbishley, Frank Lampard Places: Cardiff, Norwich, United Kingdom, Wales, Denmark
