West Ham and England midfielder Scott Parker believes he is playing the best football of his career

International Friendly,Scott Parker,Denmark vs England(Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Fresh from his man of the match display in England’s Euro 2012 qualifier victory over Wales, West Ham’s Scott Parker insists he is playing the best football of his career.

The talismanic Upton Park captain made up a midfield trio with Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere at the Millenium Stadium as England cruised past Gary Speed’s men and took control of Group G.

“I feel like I am probably playing the best football of my career,” Parker told reporters.  “I went into the Wales game confident and in form and hopefully I showed that out there.

Parker admitted he drew confidence from an excellent second half display in England’s recent friendly with Denmark, a cap which won the 30-year-old the honour of being the first England player to win his first four caps whilst playing for four different clubs.

After spells at Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle, Parker now believes he has the experience to pounce on opportunities and hopes his ability to step up and perform when needed will land him future chances for his country.

“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,” he added.

“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.

“I thought about that before kick off in Cardiff. I knew I had to take my chance in this game for definite.

“I would like to think that I can keep going the way I am going and do what I am doing.

“If I can do that and keep impressing the right people, then hopefully I can get a few more caps under my belt.”

During a season in which the midfielder has inspired West Ham team-mates with half-time team talks, the former PFA Young Player of the Year has also had to cope with the loss of his father and admits it was disappointing that he couldn’t be in the Welsh capital to watch the display.

“I have been dealing with that in my own way and trying to stay strong,” he said.

“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.”