Luksaz’s Fabianski’s extraordinary form since arriving at since arriving at West Ham two seasons back was a masterstroke at £7 million.
Hammer of the Year during his first season at the club he has made an im[act greater than any in a long long time.
Hs amazing form also up opened a debate on where he stood in the list of all time greats at West Ham.
We asked the question over the last couple of days and to be honest the result came as something of a shock as readers, in the main, went forhim as their No 1.
Now, I know it’s a very dodgy business disagreeing with fans but it seems strange that after a season and a bit that he should find himself in front of the mighty Phil Parkes who served this club for 11 years and played 344 games.
He was an FA Cup winner in 1980 after arriving for a world record fee of £565,000 a year earlier and was in my humble opinion perhaps the greatest keeper I have seen behind Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton despite him making only one appearance for his country in 1974.
He was the rock of that team which finished in third place in the old division one back in 85-86 and commanded his area like nobody before or since.
Fabianski is a wonderful keeper, who is going to be right up there as one of our most memorable in years to come, but there will only ever be one Parkesky and he will always be No 1 for me and most who saw him, I’m sure.
Could just be that most readers here are young? Do a denographic poll:)
What was the unweighted result?
I became a West Ham fan when Jim Standen was between the sticks and I have seen every keeper since.
You can only comment on what you have seen, and whilst it is unfair to compare players from different eras, I agree 100% with Hugh about Phil Parkes.
The guy was a colossus in every sense of the word and in my opinion would not be second choice to any keeper past or present.
Didn’t understand the poll (prob my age) I’m 59 this year and while fans has been fantastic Parkes is the best keeper I have seen since following our beloved West ham, and in all that time the only better keeper in my opinion was the late, great Gordon Banks.
1) Phil Parkes 2) Lido Miklosko 3)Fabianski. – Rob Green was a good keeper, then you’ve got Merv the swerve, Bobby Ferguson etc.
Parkes our best keeper by far. End of.
Yes I agree about Parkes Hugh, but the key is in your statement ‘for me & most who saw him’. Like you I saw them all, but I have to admit my memories of Standen are growing dim. Parkes was another of that group who were topclass players, but who spent time with us in the second tier (unthinkable today, apparently). But it was definitely the competition at international level that resulted in his lack of caps. He was international class -no question. I suppose another point is that Fabianski’s career is not over- at least I hope not. If he was to stay at the top with us for another five years, inwhich we will of course win 2 Fa cups, the PL & one CL (must lay off that medicine), he might well run Parkes close.
Fabianski is a fantastic keeper and possibly the best signing of the MP era to date. In a couple of years, injuries permitting, he will have earned the right to sit at the right hand of Phil Parkes. Fab is the best I’ve seen play for us with the exception of the moustachioed legend. Just think how many England caps Parkesy would have won if he was playing in any era after the 70’s!
I remember seeing Phil Parkes debut & could’nt quite believe how good he was.Overnight the defence seemed so much more confident & assured, can’t speak highly enough of the difference he made to the team. LEGEND.