June 21 2005
So, in Scott Parker, just what kind of player have we bought exactly?
We find out. Newcastle-Online.com, in our never ending quest to bring
you informed views from far afield, hooked up with two fans of Parker's
former club's to get their views on our new £6.5m signing. Rich
Godden editor of a Chelsea
supporters website and David Robson editor of a Charlton
fansite, were kind enough to answer a few questions we posed to them
regarding our new boy.
And this is what they had to say...
Rich Godden on Scott Parker:
Q: When Chelsea signed Parker, what was your initial reaction
- good or bad signing?
I was pleased to hear that we were signing Scott Parker having seen
him tear us apart just a few weeks earlier when we lost at Charlton.
I felt the fee was a little bit over the top, but obviously that
isn't too much of a problem when you have a multi-billionaire in
charge!
Q: As a player what skills or attributes did you notice
in him in his short time at Chelsea?
Scott was always 100% committed to whatever he did on the pitch. When
he tackled someone they knew about it (and possibly for the next few
days they'd have a reminder) and that endeared him to the Chelsea
faithful. Whilst his position in the side didn't allow him to fully
express himself, he also showed an impressive short passing game.
Q: Many have likened him to Steven Gerrard, as in he is
that type of player - do you think he has the attributes to become
as good a player as him or is it all hype in your view?
A lot will depend on how Souness decides to deploy him. If Scott
is played alongside Nicky Butt or Amdy Faye then I think he could
play the Gerrard role well. As stated previously, his passing is
good and in his Charlton days I saw him score a couple of scorchers.
So I think the talent is there, but I feel his best position is
the midfield anchor. When Jose Mourinho played him instead of Makelele,
Scott didn't put a foot wrong and I felt that a worse player than
Maka would have lost their place to him. It would also be a position
that would improve his England chances, seeing as Sven's current
midfield pairing - Lampard and Gerrard - both like to get forward.
Q: Newcastle have had many problems with dubious characters,
while at Chelsea did Parker ever attract any bad headlines on and
off the pitch or say anything to undermine his manager/club?
Off the pitch he attracted a lot of negative press before he joined
us, mainly because of the manner in which the media portrayed his
exit from Charlton. What they failed to note however was that Alan
Curbishley went back on promises made to Parker when he signed a
new deal at the Valley a few months earlier. But while at Chelsea
he only ever attracted headlines for stating that he wanted to play
more, which is understandable. And he should also be commended for
backing up his words and not just sitting on his fat pay check at
Chelsea doing nothing.
Q: What was your reaction when he signed for Newcastle?
Mixed feelings... in one sense I was disappointed that Chelsea were
selling a player with such potential at a £3.5m loss. But in another
sense I was glad that a dedicated professional was going to a club
where he would be fully appreciated and genuinely needed. People
say his move to Chelsea was a step backwards, but I disagree. He
has gone from being the star of the show at Charlton, to playing
alongside world-class players at Chelsea and now onto potentially
being a major player at one of Europe's sleeping giants.
Q: Finally, in your view, will he prove a good or bad signing for
Newcastle and why?
I think he will prove to be an excellent signing for Newcastle.
There have been (and still are) too many bad eggs in the St. James'
Park dressing room. What is needed are more honest professionals
like Shearer, Given and Parker to get the club back on track.
David Robson on Scott Parker:
Q: Many Newcastle fans aren't too sure as to what kind of
player Parker is, is he a defensive midfielder, a creative one or
box to box player - just what type of player is he?
One thing which I really enjoyed about watching Scott Parker is the
amount of roles he can play in midfield; he is a central midfielder
who is a battler. But what makes Parker such a good player is he can
get forward in the Freddie Ljungberg role and score goals. But his
strength is that defensive role and I sometimes compare him to Roy
Keane.
Q: What are Parker's strengths and weaknesses in your opinion?
Tackling is a great strength that he has. He certainly isn't scared
to make a tackle on anyone and 9 times out of 10 he will win the ball.
But unfortunately his weakness is when he doesn't win the ball, he
does get booked a lot and because of that he is likely to miss games
through suspension but he isn't a bad player, he certainly doesn't
get sent off, but does pick up yellows.
Q: What one player in the Premiership today, would you compare
Parker with, who plays a similar game to him or who does he play a
similar game to?
Roy Keane, he has the potential to be the new Roy Keane and I wasn't
surprised to see a big club like Newcastle snap Parker up when he
was available.
Q: Newcastle have suffered over the years with disciplinary problems
both on and off the pitch, is Parker the type of character to cause
trouble in anyway?
Parker wont cause trouble, he wont start fights on the pitch and doesn't
get sent off too often (twice I think in his Charlton career), but
he does pick up yellow cards for the odd late challenge.
Q: Just before Parker was signed by Chelsea, didn't he sign
a new deal at Charlton? What are your thoughts about the whole affair?
That is why Charlton fans still hate Parker; they have not forgiven
him after singing a 5 year deal in August only to be sold 4 months
later to Chelsea. At the time £10m was a lot of money, especially
for Charlton. But the fans didn't forgive Parker because we all thought
he would be loyal and stay at least to the summer. I thought he would
stay until I read in the program notes that after the Wolves game
in January he went straight to the boardroom after the game asking
to leave. Its still hard to take because we all know what a talent
Scott Parker is. And Newcastle fans will find out soon.
Q: Are your surprised he didn't last long at Chelsea?
Not at all, we all knew he would struggle to get in the Chelsea team
and it's no surprise he only lasted a season and a half. He should
of stayed at The Valley for another season before moving on. I believe
he would have been a regular England player by now if he stayed.
Q: Finally, have Newcastle signed a good player?
Yes. Newcastle have signed a player with bags of potential. A player
who could play for England in the next World Cup. A player who always
gives 110% in every game he plays and will certainly battle hard for
Newcastle Utd. If he produces the form he had at Charlton, he will
certainly help Newcastle bounce back to the top half of the table
where they belong.
Ed: A big thanks to Rich & David. Well lads and lasses, it looks
like in Parker we have signed a quality player and I don't know about
you, but I'm excited. I can't wait to see him in action.
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