'Parker should throw everything at the FA Cup'published at 11:34 GMT
Natalie Bromley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty ImagesThere are players who become so synonymous with their clubs that they achieve icon status.
Steven Gerrard, Jamie Vardy, Dean Windass - and Ashley Barnes.
Barnes was never meant to come back for a final spell. But come back he did. And he delivered an FA Cup third-round performance of such impressive magnitude on Saturday afternoon that Burnley and their supporters were able to forget about their league woes for a few glorious hours while watching our Ashley prove why he is still capable of the clinical finishing that made him a club favourite.
There were other moments to be cheerful about too, particularly the impressive displays of youngsters Max Weiss and Jaydon Banel. And the confidence the Clarets showed, right from the whistle.
Perhaps this game proved once more the gulf in quality between the Championship and the Premier League. Or perhaps it's an important opportunity for Scott Parker to see what happens when you play with freedom and go out to win a game.
Or maybe that is harsh of me.
But either way, Parker should be throwing everything at the FA Cup. Because, quite frankly, we have nothing left to cheer about. The season feels gone, the league performances have been uninspiring and insipid, and Parker's technical application has been questionable.
The club wants the fans to lift their spirits and get behind the team. But we are only human and struggle to find that uplift when there is little to get enthusiastic about. A cup run and, dare I dream it, a trip to Wembley would do just that.
For now, we are in that hat for the fourth-round draw and nothing can dampen my excitement for that.
Other than a draw away at the Etihad...
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