From Vital Football - Qs and As regarding Kiegan Parker

Vital Football Swansea asked these questions of Vital Football Blackpool, in anticipation of signing Parker on 1 January.

Some very interesting insights, if he's coming that is.


1. Keigan's goals and games stats for last season and this season completely contrast with each other. Last season he averaged a goal every 2 games (27 starts, 15 goals) whereas this season he has failed to hit the net in 10 games. Why do you think this is?

Last season Keigan was obviously playing against a lower calibre of defender, who are nowhere near as quick as Championship centre halves, which helped him get in behind them much easier than he`s found this term. With the quicker defenders this year, the attribute of his pace has degenerated through the speed of opponents, meaning his chances are limited in front of goal from his clever runs in behind the backline.

Parker has suffered some serious off field problems all season apparently, with a court case against him and reports that his mother isn`t well in Scotland. However, his perceived lack of effort is inexcusable to many supporters, hence he hasn`t been hitting the heights of last season.


2. What is the general fans opinion on the player? Do you and everyone else want to see him stay or will it be good riddance come the January transfer window?

You either love or hate Keigan Parker - there are very few in-between. His class (as was seen in the playoffs last season) is unquestionable, and he really has a great potential, but his lethargic nature on the pitch, and erm…wild (?) side off it means fans have become sick of his antics.

It`s now got to the stage where even I, a massive Parker fan, am saying that he really needs to go because he`s not good enough at the present moment for Championship football and is causing himself too much damage off the pitch to ever be a success at this football club.


3. What type of striker is he and what style of football is he best suited to?

Parker, when in the right mood, will run the channels for you and mainly operate out wide using his pace to cut inside or go round the back of a defender. Small, and lightening quick, League One defenders don`t have a clue how to deal with him when on song. His one on one finishing is relatively poor, but his shooting is on the whole pretty good.

To get the best out of Parker he needs balls threaded through the middle of the park. Playing him off a big man sounds a plan on paper, but in reality his runs off the target man are useless!


4. What are his strengths and weaknesses?

I`ve answered that I think.


5. What sort of fee do you think we'd have to pay to sign him? Any speculation of a rough figure?

I`d like to see him go for something in the region of 250K, because he can be a real asset, but in truth you`ll have to pay around 125K, because of his performance this season.


6. There has been talk of his off the pitch attitude and lifestyle that have effected his game. Is this true and does he have a bad influence in the dressing room?

I don`t think he has a bad influence on the dressing room as such. His best friend from within the playing side is Wes Hoolahan, our star player, and he`s never in the press for off field matters.

I don`t really want to talk about his off field "antics" because it`d just be speculating, but his mum is said to be seriously ill, and that can be difficult for anyone, which is why I find it strange that he`d be moving further away from her to Wales!


7. Overall, would he be a good signing for the Swans, considering the fact that hopefully we'll be joining you next season in the Championship?

If I were in your position, I`d sign him definitely, but if was Simon Grayson I`d snap Martinez`s hands off for 150K plus! If Martinez can get Keigan`s head right, then he`ll be cracking player for you.

I wouldn`t count your chickens about being promoted; just sign the players (like Parker) that will take you up first and then start building for The Championship if you get there.

(We're definitely not counting our chickens yet Jack, still half a season to go!)

 

Simon Davey / Kiegan Parker / JCR

From what I have seen I think Davey has got a pretty good knack of getting players with a bit of potential and training them in the correct manner to get the best out of them.

JCR is a decent example and Southend fans’ opinion of him seems similar to that of Parker. He looked a bit raw in his first few games but has come on leaps and bounds since, the work Davey and Co. have done with him is clearly visible. To some extent the same could be said of Werling.

Lets hope he can do the same with this Parker chap as he sounds as though has the attributes to make a decent striker.

We have to face the fact that we are not in a position to purchase players who are the finished article. Even a “proven” Championship striker is quite possibly beyond our budget so if Davey can continue to pick up players of this nature and bring them on, then things are looking rosy.

 

threading balls through the middle

mostto would eat them up as this is how he likes to play but fact is we just done feed him them balls! Been a long time since we played this way - always wingers, crosses and lumps up field.

and if he is lazy then in a month we will be in the same situation as we are now with the strikers.

 

so whats happened to Odejayi..he has got progressivley WORSE..with a capital..***** nt

 

RE: threading balls through the middle

I just wish he would give Mostto 10-15 games on the spin and just see what he can do, it is a shame Anderson has gone because he was the one player who Mostto could have benefitted most from.

 

like your opinions then

 

Personally, I disagree

I think he's got a lot of potential and if he is managed in the correct way he will be an asset for us. I have seen aspects of his game improve and have a lot of faith in SD in doing so.

But I guess it's all about opinions..

 

Opinions are like bumsex

Objectionable from certain people.

 

RE: threading balls through the middle

Davey will be reluctant to change the team to much, when we have 50 odd points on the board then i think Davey will give the fringe players a go. I agree with you that Mostto should be given a good number of games just to get him into the swing of it. But that can be said for a few of the squad players.
If we get the lonees back this month then i expect Davey to play the same team as before, 34 points is not a bad haul, so Kim, Mostto, Coulson will be still on the back burner.

 

RE: Personally, I disagree

Iagree with that hes the Onlystriker weve got that can beet other teems with his speed.give him time.