Paul Parker Column

[CORKBHOY]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/footba...article/48512/

Pressure back on Terry after Spain win

England's win over Spain at Wembley on Saturday was a surprise, but also a morale-boosting victory after a few weeks in which there has been little to get excited about as far as the national team is concerned.
Spain never really got out of second gear, seemingly content to hang on to the ball and claim a landslide victory on those terms rather than bust a gut to get in behind the England defence.

It really was one for the purists. Much of the first half was like a training ground exercise, with the first team in red rehearsing how best to break down opponents by using the reserves in white for practice.

Even so, the main player to emerge from the game with their reputation enhanced was Joleon Lescott. Scott Parker got Man of the Match, but the Manchester City centre-back was the one who stood out for me. His reading of the game was vital, and I'm not sure he even gave away a single foul during the 90 minutes, quite impressive considering the amount of defending he had to do.

Given his form for Manchester City and his superior positional sense and pace, John Terry - rested against Spain - may be a little worried about his place on the left side of England's two central defenders.

The England captain now has to come out and reassert his role in the side by putting in a performance equally as good against Sweden on Tuesday. The embattled Chelsea skipper has not been in the best form this season and is obviously embroiled in a major issue off the field too.

Being the alpha male we all know him to be, Terry will not be able to stand the thought of his England place being in jeopardy, especially after losing and regaining the captaincy once already over a high-profile farrago.

The emergence of Phil Jones is yet another reason for Terry to be looking over his shoulder as he aims to keep hold of a position in which England are particularly blessed.

It could even be argued that England's defence perhaps benefited from Terry not being in the side against Spain. That is not just from a footballing perspective, but also because such an imposing presence can sometimes lead to too much focus on an individual rather than the collective, something which proved so vital in England keeping a clean sheet against the world champions.

So after being taken out of the spotlight on Saturday, Terry returns with the pressure on him increased. He needs a solid performance against Sweden, and so do England to prove that they are not just a one-dimensional side.

We should reserve full judgement on the success of this international break until after Tuesday's match, which comes against opposition that England have never beaten in their last 12 meetings. The home fans will be expecting a win now, but if England are to achieve that they must do so in a very different style to that which saw them beat the Spanish.

That will be difficult if England are going to field several young players, as Fabio Capello says he will. The manager will have to get that blend of youth and experience right, and Terry will be vital in making sure those making their full debuts are eased into the international arena.

Given he has his own England future to worry about, how well he handles so much on his plate will be very interesting to watch.

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It's the comments that make it worthwhile. lol

More interesting than your career ever was Parker.

another stormer of a article from mr.parker lol

paul, keep doing what you doing,is all gud

I must say Parker I only view your column cause of the comments it generates... hilarious stuff

Parker's articles are actually quite interesting, but the main reason for viewing them is the comments section. The constant stream of sarcasm and unhinged abuse is comedy gold.

What an utter rubbish by Parker again. Terry remains the pillar of England defence anay day any time. Terry is not a one match player but has been tested and proven to be a staunch pillar for both country and club. Nobody apart from clueless Parker should judge anyone with one match. There is absolutely no pressure whatsover on Terry as he will always justify his place in the Three Lions squad any day. On the contrary, Rio Ferdinand of Parker's darling team should be the one under pressure as he has virtually lost out in both country and club. Parker's articles are always rubbish only addressed to biased minds as himself.

I think P.Parker's articles are the MAJOR reason i look forward to Yahoo Eurosport. The coments (insults) that follow always make my day,no matter how pissed iam. I always learn a new insult with each posting. Keep it up P.P. The most hated man in football!

Paul Parker must copy this stuff from other reports then mixes it together and you get this rubbish
If I remember you were not that good as an England player

I'm looking forward to his next article.

[Michael P Splonk]

i like parker. He doesn't hold back