Scott Parker is fully expecting West Ham United to have a good season despite the disappointment of a defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder was outstanding in Sunday's fixture, setting the tone for a good team display with some poised play and crunching challenges. In front of him, Carlton Cole was also impressive and Parker said his team-mate deserved high praise and not just for the goal that had set the Hammers on the way before Spurs fought back.
"He was fantastic," Parker said. "He wants to do well and perform and score goals, all of which we know he can and is good at doing. He gives his all for the team in every match and leads the line well for us.
"He is a big player for us and is quite rightly getting his rewards by being picked for England - you could see again on Sunday what he can do. We played well and it was a fantastic goal by Coley - I think they gained momentum when they equalised and then went on to get their second goal."
Like most neutrals, Parker felt the Hammers were unlucky to come up short and believed there were plenty of positives to take. "If we can play like we did and be as consistent as we can, then there is no reason why we can't be up there and have a good season," he said. "Tottenham showed what a good squad they have, but we also showed what we could do against a side like that."
The 28-year-old also echoed the sentiments of his team-mates and manager in sending his best wishes to Calum Davenport, who is recovering in hospital after an incident over the weekend. "We just wish him well and that he makes a full recovery. He is a great lad and we are all thinking of him and his family."