West Ham fans may have voiced their fury as the side slid one place further down the table after a poor run of results, but at least in Scott Parker the Hammers have a manager who understands how it really, really feels to have to witness that dross.
Unlike his predecessor Nuno Espírito Santo, Parker seems to have the ability to connect with the fan base and offer real empathy – along with hope that he will at least, work his nuts off to see a turnaround.
Nuno Espirito Santo was reduced to the same platitudes, the same apologies, but with the sense that it was just for the cameras and that he’d shrug his shoulders as soon as the interview was over, leaving someone else to fix the chaos in the dressing room and on the training pitch. West Ham’s training videos usually showed an assistant taking training, with Nuno either passive or absent entirely.
Stories abound of the Portuguese manager not even speaking to his players during half time team talks.
Even after a year Nuno struggled to convince fans that his ‘concern’ was heartfelt.
Parker has already surpassed his predecessor in terms of being ‘present’. Both his pronouncements and his actions – such as his first-game, half time team talk demonstrate his ability to wear his heart on his sleeve.
His words reported yesterday by footballleagueworld.co.uk do suggest, unlike his predecessor, that he’s genuinely hurting, along with the rest of us:
“Sounding somewhat hoarse after his team’s 2-1 defeat at Blackburn, Scott Parker spoke after the matchabout his disappointment at the result. Parker said that he’d talked about his team’s need to get a result from this match, even if it wasn’t playing the sort of football that he want his team to play.
He had sympathy for West Ham supporters, saying that he “wanted to get three points” for them, adding that, “What I can say is that I’m fully committed here, and I understand the pain, I understand where the fan base are.”
Parker added that he understands that the unhappiness of fans isn’t entirely a response to recent performances alone, saying that, “That’s not just this season, it’s come over a little bit of time.”
And it matters. In these dark days for the football club, mid table in the second division, leadership is what will unite team and supporters to operate together and hopefully pull the club out of its slide. Leadership doesn’t always yell, ( he’s done that too), sometimes it merely shows understanding and empathy whilst demanding better.
I really hope that Parker works out for the Hammers
We had three bad managerial appointments in a row – Loppy, Potter and Nuno
As fans we need to be patient with Scott Parker
parker is a great communicator.when potter took over he could give a good talk.i could be on camera and give a good talk.its not what people say that matters its their actions that count.next time you hear a manager gives a press conference count the times the word try is mentioned.i will try ,we will try.we will try are hardest.this is going to be tough.they are tough opponents.this is a tough place to come too,we.will try are hardest to start winning.solve the problem.the word try is the excuse.oh well we tried.the players tried.its getting in early.how about were in great shape .rearing to go.they will know blacburn.preston that they have been in one hell of a game.i expect my players to be on it.not try.
Let’s be honest. We’re a shambles from top to bottom and its going to be a long old job to steady the helm, and it’ll cost money.
Even Pep would struggle to get that lot playing well