Scott Parker has achieved promotion from the Championship with three different clubs throughout his managerial career, but his proudest moment could be yet to come.
The former West Ham United captain now has the task of adding a fourth promotion to his portfolio courtesy of his former club in what would be an excellent full-circle moment.
So far, however, it has been anything but a dream job for the 46-year-old, who is without a win in two games and must already make some brutal decisions. One of which revolves around Joel Piroe.
Why Parker must bench Piroe after international break
There won’t be many clubs more relieved than West Ham to welcome the international break. They’ve had a nightmare run of results, which Parker has so far failed to turn around.
If the new manager wasn’t aware of the sheer size of the task at hand, then a 3-3 draw against Cardiff City after falling 3-0 behind and a 2-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers should have stamped it home.
It doesn’t take a tactical genius to realise that Parker’s first port of call lies within his backline. His Burnley side broke records with their defensive numbers in the Championship. It’s partly why he now finds himself at West Ham, but if he fails to replicate his Turf Moor record, then his tenure may not last long.
The attention should then turn to a list of underperforming forwards at the London Stadium, starting with Piroe. The striker, whose move will become permanent for as much as £12m next summer, has scored just four goals all season with the latest of those coming against Blackburn.
For a forward who is known for dominating the Championship, scoring 19 goals as Leeds United were promoted two seasons ago, that is simply not good enough.
If Parker is to transform West Ham back into promotion contenders, then he must start by ditching the former Leeds man and starting his very own version of Will Lankshear.
West Ham already have their own Lankshear
Whilst Tottenham Hotspur continue to struggle in front of goal, it is Middlesbrough who are having the last laugh. They snapped up Will Lankshear in the summer, welcoming the forward for £10m, potentially rising to £20m, and have reaped the rewards ever since.
The young Spurs graduate has been in outrageous form, even drawing comparisons to Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane, and has already scored 13 goals in 13 Championship games.
It’s likely that he will fire Boro to promotion and West Ham should take note. By moving Jarrod Bowen back into a central area, the Hammers can unleash their very own version of Lankshear: a talismanic forward who is one of the best players in the second tier.
|
West Ham forwards 26/27 |
Bowen |
Castellanos |
Piroe |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
1,340 |
877 |
696 |
|
Goals |
7 |
1 |
4 |
|
Assists |
7 |
4 |
2 |
|
XG |
6.52 |
3.46 |
3.96 |
Even from out wide, Bowen has been West Ham’s most clinical finisher this season. By allowing him to lead the line, Parker can unlock the goalscorer who can change the Hammers’ fortunes.
It’s also worth noting that, by doing that, the West Ham boss can play a more defensive player on the right-hand side – helping to restore defensive balance in the process. He has the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
An in-form Bowen could rival Lankshear all the way for the Championship’s Player of the Season award. The West Ham man has experience over the Boro star and is a better creator. West Ham just need to allow their best player to play in a more advanced role.
Once dubbed “unbelievable” by Jurgen Klopp, Bowen is certainly still capable of playing a starring role even at 29 years old. Even if West Ham are down, he is not out just yet.
Had Castellanos or Piroe found some kind of form, then Parker could be happy with his frontline. As it stands, however, he has a major decision to make for the sake of his ambitions after the international break.
