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Parker credits form to Baxter

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker has credited his stellar performances this past season to the influence of coach Stuart Baxter following the side's PSL and Nedbank Cup double.

According to the Football411 website, prior to Baxter's appointment ahead of the 2012/13 campaign, Parker was struggling to hold down any sort of permanent role under Vladimir Vermezovic, having joined Amakhosi in 2011 following a failed stint at Dutch side FC Twente.

However, the English tactician's arrival at Naturena has seen the Bafana Bafana ace rise to new heights, with his 12 Premiership goals leading Chiefs to the league crown, while he also netted the extra-time winner in the Ke Yona final against SuperSport United on Saturday.

And although Parker missed out on the Players' Player of the Year award, as well as the Golden Boot award after finishing one goal behind eventual winner Katlego Mashego, he is nevertheless delighted with his season, and insists all his success is owed to Baxter.

"[At the start of the season] the coach came to me and said: 'I have just come into the country but I've heard a lot about you and I've seen you play, so I need you to know and understand your role. I need you to understand when to express yourself on the field of play'," Parker told Times Live.

"He tells me how important my role is to the team before every single game and I've learnt a lot from him and I'm sure the other players as well have learnt a lot from him.

"The coach is a man-manager, who speaks to players individually, letting them know their role in the team and it all came together and we did good.

"He's not only a coach, he's a teacher as well. He teaches you certain things about the game and I'm sure, as Doctor Khumalo has been saying, we will be stronger next season as we grow."

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