Parker justifies England captaincy, but will it be long-term?

Last night Scott Parker gave an excellent display in England's unfortunate 3 - 2 defeat to Holland. Despite giving the ball away on a couple of occasions, his display was what we have come to expect from the 31-year-old Spurs midfielder, committed, passionate and full of desire. He took a clattering from Dirk Kuyt in the first half and despite that (and landing awkwardly on a boom mic) he got up and showed the kind of guts which all England players should be expected to have. Making block after block and many important interceptions and tackles, it was the kind of captain's performance which should stand Scott Parker in good stead with whoever will come in after interim boss Stuart Pearce has been replaced. He had already stamped his mark on the game in the first-half when a Robin Van Persie shot was sure to be on target but in flew Scott Parker to make a courageous block. His selection as captain had its many doubters but it seemed to be the right choice after the other choice for England captain (who many expected it to be), Steven Gerrard came off in the first-half with a tight hamstring (as a precaution, so don't fret Liverpool fans) after an ineffective display.

Now onto the game itself, England fans shouldn't worry because our future seems to be in good hands, if the F.A. get the right appointment as manager (please be 'Arry Redknapp), any manager who has good man management skills should be able to curb England's egotistical stars and form a cohesion with them which could make them a force to be reckoned with in the Euros. After all, narrowly losing to a strong Holland team who are still one of the top teams in the world boasting stars like Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin Van Persie is not such a negative after all. Coming back from two goals down is no mean feat itself, let alone a team which includes some of the stars and top players which Holland have. England's spirit and determination to fight back showed just how classy the team can be, the fact they only lost to a deflected Arjen Robben shot shows the sort of luck which can go against hard-working teams. A good first-half defensive display was somewhat overlooked because of the two quick-fire Dutch goals, after that England seemed a little shaken but they did well to drag themselves back into a game which going into the 83rd minute seemed as good as over.

What were your thoughts on the England performance and the game itself? How do you feel Scott Parker's performance was? Is he a good selection as captain?