Avram Grant has given his backing to West Ham midfielder Scott Parker for the PFA Player of the Year award.
Hammers boss sings praises of inspirational midfielder
Avram Grant has given his backing to West Ham midfielder Scott Parker for the PFA Player of the Year award.
Parker is in the running for the prestigious prize along with Tottenham duo Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart, Arsenal playmaker Samir Nasri, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, Charlie Adam of Blackpool and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez.
Despite playing for a team that has been languishing towards the bottom of the table all season, Grant insists Parker would be a worthy winner.
The Hammers manager feels he has been exceptional in every department, both on the pitch and with his attitude away from the field.
"What he has done this season has been unbelievable. I have never seen a player do more for a team than Scott Parker has done for this club," said Grant.
"When you choose a player you need to choose an example as well, how to behave in difficult times.
"We had difficult times in the first half of the season and he was there for us, he was there for the young players, he was there for the others.
"He showed high quality, scored goals, blocked shots and he was good for the national team in the last game. I think he is the player of the season."
No orchestra
The Hammers tackle Aston Villa at Upton Park on Saturday, knowing a victory could take them out of the relegation zone and to within two points of their struggling opponents.
Grant insisted last week's bust-up between Mark Noble and Robert Green at Bolton proves West Ham have enough fighting spirit to stay in the Premier League.
"What you saw from the players in the last game was a lot of passion from the players, a lot of commitment," said Grant.
"We are not in an orchestra. This is football, emotion is good. I don't want everything to be quiet.
"There is a belief. We were last place in the table and many points behind. Now we are in a better position."
