Parker eyes crucial victory at City

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker admits a slip-up away to Manchester City could potentially prove fatal in their chase for the title.

The 31-year-old England international moved to the club in the summer after a disappointing campaign with West Ham, which saw the east London outfit relegated, however Parker is now keen to move on with Spurs in the Premier League.

“Obviously last season was very disappointing,” he told TalkSport.

“We were involved in a relegation so it was quite difficult, even though we played some good stuff.”

“I was involved in that so it was quite disappointing. But coming to Spurs now and being where we are in the league and doing as well as we are things are very good.”

“We all realise at Spurs that this is a tough league, but we have got a good squad and we need to maintain our form to hopefully stay where we are come the end of the season – or in amongst it.”

“It is a very big game for us. It’s a big game for Manchester City and I suppose in the Premier League every game is big. Sunday is certainly going to be that.”

Parker has been in and out of the side of late with injury, though, and the ex-Newcastle United man cannot wait to get back to business as usual out on the pitch.

“Obviously when you are not playing and not out there it’s quite difficult,” he said.

“I’m not the greatest of watchers, but I’m pleased to be back and playing and I’m looking to now stay fit and carry on for the rest of the campaign.”

“We’ve got a full week’s training ahead of us and touch wood everything is fine.”

Spurs travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday – the ground where City captain Vincent Kompany was controversially sent-off recently – and Parker has suggested the officials’ desire to clamp down on dangerous tacking is just their current initiative.

“It’s obviously the thing of the moment now isn’t it?” Parker said.

“What you normally see is that this sort of stuff happens every now and then. Lately it’s all about the tackle.”

“I’m obviously a player that likes to get stuck in. A player that likes to impose myself.”

“Obviously the referees have got a very hard job and I totally understand that.”

“But it’s a contact sport and ultimately that’s what it is so as long as the reckless tackles are taken out of the game we just need to be sensible.”