Upson delighted to join Albion

9:30am Friday 1st February 2013 in Sport By Andy Naylor

Matthew Upson signed for Albion last night. Picture by Paul Hazlewood Matthew Upson signed for Albion last night. Picture by Paul Hazlewood

Matthew Upson has revealed his delight at joining Albion.

The former England defender signed on loan for the remainder of the season before the transfer window closed last night.

Upson told The Argus: "I see it as a really good opportunity. I've been languishing a bit this season at Stoke and maybe not getting as much football as I would have liked.

"The opportunity arose to come here until the end of the season and I think it's really positive move for me.

"I don't know massive amounts about Brighton but I played against Gus and I've heard lots of things about his management style and I've seen some games, which tells you a lot. I like what I see, it looks really good stuff.

"The package as a whole, the club and the manager and the players and the style of football, is really attractive."

Comments(49)

fratsomrover says...
9:43am Fri 1 Feb 13

A timely arrival. Welcome to The Albion. A good, experienced centre half should be a big bonus for our push to the play-offs. Hopefully with his experience we will not look so shaky when trying to hold on to those leads we keep frittering away in the final minutes of matches. Who would have imagined that we would field 2 ex England internationals in our back four a couple of years ago. Good stuff !!

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Bushell says...
9:47am Fri 1 Feb 13

Great time to be an Albion fan, two ex-internationals in our team plus we kept hold of LB, WB and CMS and signed Ulloa who looks like he may be quite a signing for us ! All in all a good transfer window. Well done Gus, good luck Saturday, 3 points at Sheffield would be a real bonus ! UTA

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SMF20 says...
10:11am Fri 1 Feb 13

Lets not forget guys that as well as our 2 ex internationals, we have 2 current internationals in our back 5 and then a further class act in Bruno.

All going in the right direction for our great club

Uta

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Gee Jay says...
10:16am Fri 1 Feb 13

I would be a bit disappointed if he was NOT delighted.
A chance to spend the next four months on the south coast, compared to four months in the Potteries, and with a club that the neutral supporters actually like.
Good news for him and the Albion.....

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wiseman of hove says...
10:17am Fri 1 Feb 13

Well played the manager.

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Jonathan Mouette says...
10:19am Fri 1 Feb 13

I think MU will really enjoy himself at the Albion. He will bring the undoubted strengths required to play at clubs like WHU and Stoke and rekindle the obvious skills that attracted Arsenal and their style all those years ago. To be able to line up a defence with TK lurking behind GG and MU plus Bruno and WB is awesome (sorry Adam) and a real sign of intent. Forget the play-offs - Leicester looked rough and were outplayed for long moments of the game against Wolves last night. Nothing should be ruled out anymore, not with our run in. UTA. Fingers crossed.

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Hovite says...
10:28am Fri 1 Feb 13

wiseman of hove wrote:
Well played the manager.
And well played TB, he just saved £4 million by satnding firm and sticking to his principles.

Not only that, if Upson was our first choice, I would have been happy with him to start with.

This puts out a strong message to other clubs in the next transfer window dealings. Take it or leave it!

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wiltshire seagull says...
10:29am Fri 1 Feb 13

Great signing indeed, real quality! As many other BHA supporters I'm amazed (and grateful) that no-one came calling for LB or CMS? I believe the play-offs are now well with-in our grasp and that we can beat any of the present bunch with the possible exception of Watford. They will probably finish second behind Swansea, IMHO of course. Finally, spare a thought and thanks to Romain Vincelot who has been a model professional with Brighton. Thanks and good luck with finding another club in the Championship, RV.
UTA, 3 points this w/e please.

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pjwilk says...
10:35am Fri 1 Feb 13

I see Dobbie has gone to C.Palace,i dont think we gave him enough of a chance.He will probobly turn out to be another Murrey under his old manager.

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Hovite says...
10:35am Fri 1 Feb 13

I agree with your thoughts wiltshire seagull; Best of luck Romain you have been a great service to the Albion and you still played a big part in the rebirth of the club and Amex history.

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str8outtaDC says...
10:49am Fri 1 Feb 13

Good news on Upson - a great signing. Bit surprised Dobbie wasn't given longer but we obviously needed to free up wages to bring Upson in. With Bridcutt staying its been a good January window all round.

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mr punch says...
11:02am Fri 1 Feb 13

Auto promotion is within our grasp now.

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Seagull83 says...
11:04am Fri 1 Feb 13

Great signing and exaclty what we need as a stop gap this year to give ourselves a really good chance at the playoffs- I reckon Bridge played a big part in getting him down here. Who would have thought that we would one day turn out with two ex-england internationals and a champions league player in our backline back in the Colin Hawkins days. Unbelievable transformation, real Football Manager type story.

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Charismatic Andrew says...
11:10am Fri 1 Feb 13

Excellent signing.....

He was England's joint top scorer at the last World Cup!!!

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heathgate says...
11:17am Fri 1 Feb 13

He pops in the odd goal, and is always a threat at attacking set pieces,..... nice one Gus.

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dave from bexill says...
11:23am Fri 1 Feb 13

Seagull83 wrote:
Great signing and exaclty what we need as a stop gap this year to give ourselves a really good chance at the playoffs- I reckon Bridge played a big part in getting him down here. Who would have thought that we would one day turn out with two ex-england internationals and a champions league player in our backline back in the Colin Hawkins days. Unbelievable transformation, real Football Manager type story.
Seagull 83 said "Who would have thought that we would one day turn out with two ex-england internationals......
in our backline..."
Agree and look forward to one day having two'current' England players in our team.

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mark by the sea says...
11:35am Fri 1 Feb 13

Very good days work, good defender in , two out of contract, and Dobbie sold. In summer and off wage bill, clearly at 30 he was never going to get ahead of cms . . .i think Gus will play one up front, cms on bench.
I hope Vicente can prove his fitness over the reminding part of season, if so, play offs a def, maybe top two.

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saraman says...
11:40am Fri 1 Feb 13

wiltshire seagull wrote:
Great signing indeed, real quality! As many other BHA supporters I'm amazed (and grateful) that no-one came calling for LB or CMS? I believe the play-offs are now well with-in our grasp and that we can beat any of the present bunch with the possible exception of Watford. They will probably finish second behind Swansea, IMHO of course. Finally, spare a thought and thanks to Romain Vincelot who has been a model professional with Brighton. Thanks and good luck with finding another club in the Championship, RV. UTA, 3 points this w/e please.
What's this about Swansea, or have I missed something Wiltshire?

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Tony the tiger eastbourne says...
11:56am Fri 1 Feb 13

Bushell wrote:
Great time to be an Albion fan, two ex-internationals in our team plus we kept hold of LB, WB and CMS and signed Ulloa who looks like he may be quite a signing for us ! All in all a good transfer window. Well done Gus, good luck Saturday, 3 points at Sheffield would be a real bonus ! UTA
Excellent quote Bushell, just awaiting our friend the gusset snatcher for his wonderful comments on his beloved Albion!!!

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mr punch says...
12:21pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Tony the tiger eastbourne wrote:
Bushell wrote:
Great time to be an Albion fan, two ex-internationals in our team plus we kept hold of LB, WB and CMS and signed Ulloa who looks like he may be quite a signing for us ! All in all a good transfer window. Well done Gus, good luck Saturday, 3 points at Sheffield would be a real bonus ! UTA
Excellent quote Bushell, just awaiting our friend the gusset snatcher for his wonderful comments on his beloved Albion!!!
Tony. Don't tempt that merchant banker back, it's been nice on here recently :)

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Albion23 says...
12:34pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Like all other posters.Fa tastic window.And yes well done to T.B &G.P.Got it spot on.M.U. hgreat addition to the family.Strong presence in the back 4 .good midfield & strike force. We have every chance for that play off spot.
U.T.A.

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wiltshire seagull says...
1:01pm Fri 1 Feb 13

saraman wrote:
wiltshire seagull wrote:
Great signing indeed, real quality! As many other BHA supporters I'm amazed (and grateful) that no-one came calling for LB or CMS? I believe the play-offs are now well with-in our grasp and that we can beat any of the present bunch with the possible exception of Watford. They will probably finish second behind Swansea, IMHO of course. Finally, spare a thought and thanks to Romain Vincelot who has been a model professional with Brighton. Thanks and good luck with finding another club in the Championship, RV. UTA, 3 points this w/e please.
What's this about Swansea, or have I missed something Wiltshire?
haaa! Doh! Cardiff of course........

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VegasSeagull says...
1:30pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Well there is one regular person that comments on here that I think will be very happy.

3 wage packets gone and only one in, should bring a smile to his face.

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VegasSeagull says...
1:37pm Fri 1 Feb 13

I have to think that Upson was on a very short list of center backs interesting Brighton. Dijk topped the list and we may go back for him, but I think Upson was close to the top of the, 'loan deal, ' list, maybe at the top.

We heard of a guy at Arsenal, that quickly died a death and then Upson. It seems Gus was well prepared for this window.

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Far gull says...
1:43pm Fri 1 Feb 13

VegasSeagull wrote:
Well there is one regular person that comments on here that I think will be very happy.

3 wage packets gone and only one in, should bring a smile to his face.
Vegas your memory and maths not what we have become accustomed to. 3 out yes , but by my maths latvian.ulloa and upson in this window bought . 3 in 3 out ??

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Hovite says...
1:46pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Vegas

It wouldn't have surprised me if we were actually going for both, and the Upson deal was in the bag already.

I don't think there was enough time to suddenly make a bid for Upson on the basis that Dijk wasn't going to sign.

We probably ideally needed and went for two CB's but one would have still been a good result.

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ballantrrae says...
1:46pm Fri 1 Feb 13

VegasSeagull wrote:
Well there is one regular person that comments on here that I think will be very happy.

3 wage packets gone and only one in, should bring a smile to his face.
As I am sure you would be the first to acknowledge VegasSeagull it would depend on what the 3 wage packets totalled and what Upson's wage packet is or at least exactly what BHA are paying.
Good window since not only did we strengthen our CB position, but we landed Ulloa as well. Furthermore we signed two more youngsters for the DS - Maksimenko and Asmundssen.
Disappointed by the Dobbie saga but his joining Palace is probably the best solution for both Dobbie and the Albion. Has anybody heard what fee we will receive when his move becomes permanent 1 July ? I hope we don't lose any money.
Finally a thank you to Vincelot. Good to see Poyet praising him on another thread.

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Far gull says...
1:50pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Far gull wrote:
VegasSeagull wrote:
Well there is one regular person that comments on here that I think will be very happy.

3 wage packets gone and only one in, should bring a smile to his face.
Vegas your memory and maths not what we have become accustomed to. 3 out yes , but by my maths latvian.ulloa and upson in this window bought . 3 in 3 out ??
Apologies i am wrong too 4 in :-)

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davidinsouthampton says...
1:54pm Fri 1 Feb 13

wiltshire seagull wrote:
Great signing indeed, real quality! As many other BHA supporters I'm amazed (and grateful) that no-one came calling for LB or CMS? I believe the play-offs are now well with-in our grasp and that we can beat any of the present bunch with the possible exception of Watford. They will probably finish second behind Swansea, IMHO of course. Finally, spare a thought and thanks to Romain Vincelot who has been a model professional with Brighton. Thanks and good luck with finding another club in the Championship, RV.
UTA, 3 points this w/e please.
Agree totally with all this. Just two other thoughts.

Firstly, rather than some people's interpretation of Gus bigging up WB and LB as a "come and get them" plea, I always saw it as a "and we do not need to sell and we intend to keep them.

Secondly, if he was stagnating at Stoke, how much could he turn out to be like mr bridge, having the opportunity not only to play, but to play in an attractive team.

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Hovite says...
2:07pm Fri 1 Feb 13

agree on both points davidinsouthampton, has been a great window for us.

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VegasSeagull says...
2:39pm Fri 1 Feb 13

To those questioning my math, sorry I should have made it clear that I was only refering to the last day of the window.

Hovite, yep I didn't think of the fact that we might have wanted two CB's that makes sense. We needed one before Greer was injured so yes, two would have been possible in the mind of Gus.

I wasn't paying much attention yesterday to those being released by various clubs by, 'mutual agreement,' I did see that we let two go, I wonder if any of those released could do a job for us.

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Freeloaders says...
2:51pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Seagull83 wrote:
Great signing and exaclty what we need as a stop gap this year to give ourselves a really good chance at the playoffs- I reckon Bridge played a big part in getting him down here. Who would have thought that we would one day turn out with two ex-england internationals and a champions league player in our backline back in the Colin Hawkins days. Unbelievable transformation, real Football Manager type story.
Colin Hawkins now he really was some super player lol.He scored a really good goal once when playing for us.Ok it was against us but still a very good goal.

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Wooah Wooah says...
2:59pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Freeloaders wrote:
Seagull83 wrote:
Great signing and exaclty what we need as a stop gap this year to give ourselves a really good chance at the playoffs- I reckon Bridge played a big part in getting him down here. Who would have thought that we would one day turn out with two ex-england internationals and a champions league player in our backline back in the Colin Hawkins days. Unbelievable transformation, real Football Manager type story.
Colin Hawkins now he really was some super player lol.He scored a really good goal once when playing for us.Ok it was against us but still a very good goal.
Hawkins is apparently still playing, at the age of 35, for Shamrock Rovers - not much older than Upson...

But Gus has gone for the right choice, I think.

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bruce beckett says...
3:37pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Delighted to have Upson in the ranks. Be interesting to see whether he is still 'first choice' when Greer regains fitness. Either way, we needed cover in the central defensive area.

Hate to see any Albion player going up the road but Dobbie was clearly surplus to requirements. To be honest, I'm surprised Gus signed him in the first place because I couldn't figure out where he was going to play him. Holloway can be a surly git at times but he's nobody's fool and I can see Dobbie forming a profitable partnership playing in behind Murray. I hope there are not too many FFS posts on NSC between now and the end of the season.

Big game tomorrow (aren't they all?). Could really do with all three points but as a betting man, my money is on another draw.

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VegasSeagull says...
4:03pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Bruce whilst a draw could be the result tomorrow I am favouring a Brighton win.

Wednesday have improved since last we met but I don't think that they have improved enough to be able to counter what we can now throw at them. There is also the fact that our players will have the performance against Arsenal lodged in the minds, and Wednesday will remember that too.

I see this match as a case of not how we will beat them, but how will Wednesday try to stop us. The home team will be happy with a point but to play for a point could be their undoing.

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LLcoolJ says...
4:28pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Bruce - I read that the Dobbie deal was only originally done because Poyet wanted cover if CMS went to Norwich in the last window at the last minute. What has happened since fits in with this theory although it's all conjecture obviously.

Personally I'm very happy that we still have LB and WB but primarily CMS as it will be my six year old lad's first game tomorrow and he would have been devastated if his favorite player had left!

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LLcoolJ says...
4:31pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Vegas - I too am optimistic about tomorrow after the transfer window. Living in Sheffield I know the Wednesday fans aren't looking forward to playing us!

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bruce beckett says...
4:40pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Very interesting, LLcoolJ. That would certainly explain it. Hope you and your lad enjoy the game tomorrow. Last time I saw Albion play Sheff Weds was in the FA Cup semi-finals at Highbury in 1983. Would be very happy with the same result. Sadly, we won't have Jimmy Case taking the free kicks this time!

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Gee Jay says...
5:19pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Having watched Matthew Upson's initial interview on the Seagulls Player, he comes over as a very level headed guy, replying to the interviewer's questions in a very balanced manner. If he thinks on the field in the same way, he is going to be a great addition.
Going to Hillsborough tomorrow, would love to see Leo,Macca and Vincente all playing on the pitch at some stage of the game.
UTA!

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VegasSeagull says...
5:44pm Fri 1 Feb 13

When we played Wednesday earlier in the season they were amuch weaker side than they are today, we should not underestimate them.

I think the difference between the two teams is going to be one of all around quality of player and skill sets.
I am not saying that Wednesday are a bad team, I just think that were are quite a bit better.

If we are to challenge for a place in the top six then this is the type of game we must win, no matter how much they have improved.

The line up tomorrow will be interesteing to see. We played Arsenal and CMS was not in the starting eleven, will the same happen tomorrow? I guess we could see the same eleven start with Upson replacing Greer.

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bruce beckett says...
6:05pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Can't leave Barnes out as he's on fire right now and I'm sure Gus will want to find a way to get Orlandi back in the starting XI, probably at the expense of Buckley.

So, in answer to your question Vegas, we may have to wait a while to see Ulloa and CMS playing up front together.

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Falmer Wizard says...
7:46pm Fri 1 Feb 13

It must be taken into consideration that his caps were gained some years ago and not only is he 31 but has had little playing time in the last season or two,there is also the point that this type of situation often results in injury which takes time to heal,he had a fellow English International at Stoke which proves the point,hopefully he will give us something but we have to wait and see.

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Hovite says...
8:05pm Fri 1 Feb 13

So what you are saying is he has been sitting on his 4r5e, not been training, he is bound to get injured immediately, he might not give us anything and we will have to all wait and see?

Mmmm

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Clean Sheet says...
8:31pm Fri 1 Feb 13

I don't think he is quite in the same sick note category as Owen.

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VegasSeagull says...
9:35pm Fri 1 Feb 13

Falmer Wizard wrote:
It must be taken into consideration that his caps were gained some years ago and not only is he 31 but has had little playing time in the last season or two,there is also the point that this type of situation often results in injury which takes time to heal,he had a fellow English International at Stoke which proves the point,hopefully he will give us something but we have to wait and see.
Glass half empty type of thinking.
I prefer glass half full thinking. .

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brightonup says...
10:16pm Fri 1 Feb 13

According to wikipedia Upson is 33 not 31 - but in different times think of how well a 37 year old Nicky Forster performed for us!

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VegasSeagull says...
11:59pm Fri 1 Feb 13

brightonup wrote:
According to wikipedia Upson is 33 not 31 - but in different times think of how well a 37 year old Nicky Forster performed for us!
So he just has a couple more years of experience than we thought he had, but I think Wiki might be in error.

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oksouthstander says...
12:26am Sat 2 Feb 13

We have a complete squad of players to maintain a serious push to the PL and the foundations in youth to stay there and BLOOM and flourish..In Guz we trust ...

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brightonup says...
8:55am Sat 2 Feb 13

VegasSeagull wrote:
brightonup wrote:
According to wikipedia Upson is 33 not 31 - but in different times think of how well a 37 year old Nicky Forster performed for us!
So he just has a couple more years of experience than we thought he had, but I think Wiki might be in error.
Totally agree.

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