Parker – What’s gone wrong?

It always amazes me that Keigan still gets his name sung at every game, despite some disappointing performances this season. In contrast the likes of Shaun Barker and Stephen Crainey are consistently excellent and yet have no song!

When Parker scored ‘that’ goal at Wembley in May it was all smiles for the young Scot. Many believed that he would be the chief goal getter in The Championship for Pool. However, fast forward six months’ and Parker is still waiting to hit the back of the net again.

It’s not through a lack of chances in matches for the number 7. I still remember the league cup game against Huddersfield way back in August in which Parker missed a one on one. I remember thinking: ‘Oh well, it usually takes him a while to get going. Next one will be a goal.’ How wrong I was!

Parker continues to find himself in space in every game and always seems to have a couple of good chances. But his finishing has been poor and too often his final ball has been lacking.

Having said that, Parker did create Flynn’s equaliser against Scunthorpe and if you remember way back in September it was his sublime centre which BBB converted to beat Hull.

What I have noticed in recent weeks’ is Parker’s lack of confidence. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a striker without a goal for several months’ is going to be low in confidence.

However, more worryingly, Parker seems to be off the pace generally. In League One he would terrorise defenders with his pace and skill. Now he seems afraid to get hold of the ball and have a go.

Now I don’t know if it was just me or was Keigan’s heart in it last night? His attitude looked troubled and very negative. His recent off the field problems with a fine for an altercation in a massage parlour and his mother’s illness cannot have helped focus his mind on scoring goals.

I do know that if Pool are to climb up this league, then a fit, focused and confident Keigan Parker could be the catalyst for that. On his day he can score goals in this league. Now it’s time that he proved it.