West Ham lifted by positive point, admits Scott Parker

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker said the Hammers can take "huge positives" out of today's 1-1 draw at Stoke.   Parker scored his side's opening goal in the first half, only for the home side to draw level thanks to a Kenwyne Jones strike in the 48th minute.  Up and running: Scott Parker can't miss from a yard as he fires West Ham's first away goal of the season 'I think we controlled the game in the first half and probably deserved to be 1-0 up,' Parker said. 'I think we can take huge positives out of today. They put us under immense pressure and we defended really well.   'We came here today low in confidence and we can leave high in confidence.'Asked about the absence of manager Avram Grant, who was observing the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur, Parker said: 'It was going to be difficult when your manager's not here but we understand the circumstances.   Good point: Scott Parker (centre) celebrates'We just got on with it and came here and got a result.' Jermaine Pennant, who set up Jones' equaliser, was later substituted after suffering an injury.   'I can walk and there's no pain so hopefully it will not be long,' he said.   West Ham senior coach Paul Groves said: 'It's a good point. The players showed a good togetherness today. They could have quite easily have gone under.' Stoke City 1 West Ham 1: Avram's prayers answered as Hammers grab first pointNow Dyer's missing from West Ham's trip to Stoke after row with Grant  

Source: Daily_Mail