West Ham look so united with Scott Parker running the show

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11 April 2012

The best sports teams are able to use successes in their past to inspire them to greater achievements in the future.

While West Ham could never be placed in this category, the memory of this victory at Bloomfield Road should fill them with confidence as they approach the challenges that will decide the outcome of their fight against relegation.

Skill, speed and flair are crucial ingredients for any team, yet for a side in West Ham's position, these qualities are secondary to courage, unity and strength of mind.

Avram Grant's side were often imprecise and rarely appeared secure last night but their collective spirit never wavered - a hugely encouraging sign as they contemplate the forthcoming matches against Birmingham at home and West Brom away, fixtures that might determine which division they will compete in next season.

Robbie Keane will be at the centre of attention for scoring the crucial second goal on his debut, while Victor Obinna's double means he has scored five times in his last two matches, yet the contribution of Scott Parker to this victory was substantial.

Parker and his midfield colleague Mark Noble were outnumbered in the centre by Blackpool's trio of David Vaughan, Charlie Adam and Andy Reid, yet the West Ham captain was mature and consistent, diligently supporting team-mates in difficulty and attempting to release others with his intelligent passing and movement.

The selfless nature of Parker's display was captured in an incident shortly before Keane, who looked a little rusty but was promising after joining the club from Tottenham, doubled the Hammers' lead.

West Ham had won a free-kick just outside the penalty area, usually the signal for Parker to take control. Instead of trying to start another attack, he recognised that James Tomkins, who was limping heavily at that stage, was the only Hammers player in a defensive position.

Sensing his team would be in danger if Blackpool cleared the free-kick quickly, Parker became an auxiliary centre-back to ensure West Ham had proper protection. All his team-mates must show such a willingness to take responsibility in the closing four months of the campaign.

It was clear that Parker would have relished the chance to join Tottenham last summer and who knows if he was distracted on hearing that Harry Redknapp was considering another move during the January transfer window. If so, it was not apparent last night.

If Parker and Keane can add class and experience to West Ham, perhaps Obinna can provide that dash of unpredictability that makes opponents wary.

The Nigerian, on loan from Inter, appears still to lack the game intelligence to reach football's summit but he has plenty of talent.

He and left-back Wayne Bridge exposed the right side of Blackpool's defence throughout the first half, and while Obinna's first goal happened only because goalkeeper Richard Kingson allowed an easy shot to beat him at the near post, his second was a real gem.

Collecting the ball midway inside Blackpool's half, Obinna moved forward before striking a left-foot shot from 25 yards that swerved away from Kingson and found the top-left corner.

Obinna also scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest last weekend and Parker believes that the 23-year-old is beginning to adapt well to life in England. "I told Victor after the game that I thought he had really found his feet recently," said Parker. "He seems to have got a grip of it and he played very intelligently.

"Sometimes he used to keep hold of the ball a bit too long and in the Premier League you can't do that but last night he was outstanding. He played one and two-touch and ran at the defender, so he's been fantastic for the club in the last couple of games."

A glance at West Ham's assignments in March and early April proves how important it is for Obinna to continue in this manner. Matches against Birmingham on Sunday and West Brom the following weekend should yield points but three of their following four opponents are Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United.

Grant has spent most of the season not knowing whether he would still be in charge at the end of it but this display enabled him to express optimism.

He said: "I was confident from the beginning of the season because I see the team in training and see how they respond to all the situations.

"It was not easy to be five or six points behind two or three months ago. But the response of the players was good. Now we are facing the last third of the League. This is the true moment and it is good to come back like this."

Having kept Charlie Adam, Blackpool fans celebrated by holding up a placard describing their captain as "priceless". If West Ham remain in the Premier League, they will reflect that these are the kind of results money cannot buy.

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