Parker self isolating - Gray and Wells to manage Boxing Day

[Maidstone Lee]

The Club can confirm that Scott Parker will not be in the dugout for our home fixture against Southampton on Boxing Day.

Following a member of his household testing positive for Covid-19, and despite returning a negative result, Scott has been self-isolating this week in accordance with the guidance.

Matt Wells and Stuart Gray will take charge of the team on Saturday.

Subject to returning a further negative result, Scott Parker will return to the dugout for our away fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on 30 December.

[Fernhurst]

Bad luck continues to dog us ........

Hope the family come through this with no issues Scott.

[roberto w6]

Very best wishes to Scott and his family

I am assuming we'll have a screen set up in the dressing room with Zoom or similar so that everyone can interact with each other pre-match and at half-time. Also that Scott will be watching the match on a live stream in constant touch on mobile phones with MW and SG during the match so as they can pass on his messages both in verbal and post-it format if required.

Obviously referring to his lack of presence at the match rather than the illness: not good news but with today's technology and the fact that many will have got used to communicating virtually this year, it's not as bad as it would have been years ago. Less of an impact at home too where we can spend time setting things up for communication in the best way possible.

It's at times like this that I think the crowd are most missed. MW and SG will be under more pressure than normal and it would have been good to give them a chorus so they knew we were all 100% behind them. It's the right time for all the established players to play a captain's role on Saturday, regardless of who is wearing the fkg arm band.

COME ON MATT, COME ON STUART, COYW

[Slaphead in Qatar]

In theory it should not make too much difference as with mobiles and other communication devices Scott will be able to manage the game and communicate with the players.

No need to panic.

And self isolating the right thing to do even if he got a negative test result. The last we need is the virus running through the team - then relegation would be a certainty.

[70sPimlico]

Wells Out.

Getting in the xmas spirit early

[bog]

Good wishes to Scott and his family.  :54:

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[Baston White]

Be interesting to see if Scotty has a different view on the game and agrees with all of us so called armchair experts.
I imagine he will get a totally different aspect of the game from that when viewed from the touch line.
Good luck to the team and to securing 3 points.
:merry christmas:
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[filham]

Oh dear but I suppose we had to suffer some how from Covid.
Heres wishing Scott a quick return.

[LC]

In theory it should not make too much difference as with mobiles and other communication devices Scott will be able to manage the game and communicate with the players.

No need to panic.

And self isolating the right thing to do even if he got a negative test result. The last we need is the virus running through the team - then relegation would be a certainty.

It does make a difference in practise. As a player you always want you manager there in person

[fulhamben]

In theory it should not make too much difference as with mobiles and other communication devices Scott will be able to manage the game and communicate with the players.

No need to panic.

And self isolating the right thing to do even if he got a negative test result. The last we need is the virus running through the team - then relegation would be a certainty.

It does make a difference in practise. As a player you always want you manager there in person

not only that, but you see completely different things on telly to what you do at the ground. Surely he can't be making in game tactical decisions based on the footage shown of players near the ball.

[H4usuallysitting]

I think it's a cunning plan....three points are our's

[filham]

I imagine Parker picks the team and decides on tactics but who actually runsthe match, that is decides on subs and tactical changes and gives the half time team talk.

[Wingnut]

Best wishes to Scott and his family. Still think that Scott can run the game from home, with the assistance of Gray and Wells. Looks like Ings, Vestergaard, Romeu (definitely) and Redmond are going to be missing for Southampton.

[davew]

He should be put in charge of VAR, that might even things out for a change.

[hovewhite]

Can only send best wishes to all in his household and hope its all good including the result.