SCOTT Parker admits his Football Writers’ Player of the Year award will be ‘tarnished’ if he fails to help keep West Ham in the Premier League.

The Hammers midfielder was the surprise winner of the award yesterday, but with his side mired in the drop zone, his work is far from finished.

“When I got the phone call to say to say I’d won it I was speechless,” said Parker. “But the main aim is to stay in the Premier League and we’ve got five big, big games left.

“If we don’t stay up I suppose it will tarnish the honour. I stated recently the main focus this year is staying in the Premier League with West Ham and if we don’t do it the personal accolades will not mean as much.”