Why Upson's experience can be valuable (From The Argus)
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Why Upson's experience can be valuable
9:00am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in Sport By Andy Naylor
Matthew Upson has leadership qualities
Albion boss Gus Poyet believes the leadership qualities of Matthew Upson can help overcome the loss of Gordon Greer.
The character of Upson played a key part in the Seagulls signing the former England centre-half on loan from Stoke for the rest of the season.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis hailed Upson, captain when he was at West Ham, as a “fantastic professional” and “influential figure” in the dressing room.
Together with his top flight experience that made him the ideal choice for Poyet to help cope with skipper Greer’s absence from the next three games due to a hamstring injury and bolster Albion’s defence in their quest to reach the play-offs.
Poyet told The Argus: “He’s a Premiership player with plenty of experience of playing for top teams. He knows the game well, he has been fit for a few years now without any problems and he’s a good character.
“We’ve got good information about him in that respect, so I think he is a great option for us.”
Poyet has no qualms about adding Upson to a defence already brimming with players the wrong side of 30. He said: “The perfect situation is someone who has the whole package, someone who has played at the highest level, has the experience and is the right age and is a good character. Sometimes you cannot get everything, because that is very, very expensive.
“Matt has played at the highest level, the experience and the character is there. Nobody is going to lie, he is 33, but I think if everything goes allright he probably has a few more years in him.”
Two-and-a-half years ago Upson was scoring for England against Germany in the World Cup in South Africa. Poyet added: “Maybe people get carried away very easily and think we are now a top team but things are changing for the good and it gives us the chance to bring players like Matt Upson. I think it’s great for the club and the fans, a top defender who we hope can bring plenty of success to the club.”
Albion’s captain for Upson’s debut at Sheffield Wednesday today will depend on team selection. His partner Adam El-Abd is a leading contender, along with Inigo Calderon and Liam Bridcutt.
Comments(14)
mark by the sea
says...
9:40am Sat 2 Feb 13
raymondo999 wrote:It's this type of player who has the experience to get us promotion...
if he's not lost his edge, should be a great move. But a little worried about the future, if we do get promotion, will need to build a completely new team with all the olds having a limited shelf life.
Think he will be the difference to us getting at least a play off spot.
Clean Sheet
says...
9:40am Sat 2 Feb 13
rolivan
says...
9:46am Sat 2 Feb 13
WestStander17
says...
9:54am Sat 2 Feb 13
Calderon will be captain if he plays. Otherwise, El Abd or Bridcutt seem the best candidates. Not sure it really matters too much. All the mentioned players are leaders out there anyway.
jockithenoo
says...
10:39am Sat 2 Feb 13
Clean Sheet wrote:You have a point ! But and it's a big BUT
Raymond's, we will have to build a new defensive team over the next 2 years anyway. This is a fantastic acquisition for Brighton. Given the push for the play offs, his experience is ideal.
do you want to be building a new defence if you address trying to survive a first year in the premier ?
UTA
Old Scrote of the Amex
says...
11:03am Sat 2 Feb 13
jockithenoo wrote:Defence seems to be the thing many managers neglect when they get promoted. They spend millions on marquee forwards and midfielders (cough, Southampton) but still have a Championship quality back 5. Kuszczak, Bridge, Upson and poss Bruno are already Prem standard, so should cope for a first season with modest strengthening.
Clean Sheet wrote:You have a point ! But and it's a big BUT
Raymond's, we will have to build a new defensive team over the next 2 years anyway. This is a fantastic acquisition for Brighton. Given the push for the play offs, his experience is ideal.
do you want to be building a new defence if you address trying to survive a first year in the premier ?
UTA
tinker111
says...
12:19pm Sat 2 Feb 13
tinker111
says...
12:27pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:Sorry O S OTA but Bridge & Upson wont be here next season and you missed our very best player by light years Bridcutt not defender but spend 's a lot of time covering at the back along with our most underated player Barnes
jockithenoo wrote:Defence seems to be the thing many managers neglect when they get promoted. They spend millions on marquee forwards and midfielders (cough, Southampton) but still have a Championship quality back 5. Kuszczak, Bridge, Upson and poss Bruno are already Prem standard, so should cope for a first season with modest strengthening.
Clean Sheet wrote:You have a point ! But and it's a big BUT
Raymond's, we will have to build a new defensive team over the next 2 years anyway. This is a fantastic acquisition for Brighton. Given the push for the play offs, his experience is ideal.
do you want to be building a new defence if you address trying to survive a first year in the premier ?
UTA
Old Scrote of the Amex
says...
12:46pm Sat 2 Feb 13
tinker111 wrote:I didn't miss Bridcutt, I was literally only talking about the back 5, but point taken. IF we go up (and it's obv a huge if) then I can see Bridge staying, unless Miss Saturday drags him to the US. He will never get another huge contract and if he's happy here (which he has said he is) I am sure we could accommodate him. As for Upson, he's not going to play for Stoke so will be looking for another club. Very unlikely, but then so was the idea of flirting with promotion to the Prem! UTA!
Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:Sorry O S OTA but Bridge & Upson wont be here next season and you missed our very best player by light years Bridcutt not defender but spend 's a lot of time covering at the back along with our most underated player Barnes
jockithenoo wrote:Defence seems to be the thing many managers neglect when they get promoted. They spend millions on marquee forwards and midfielders (cough, Southampton) but still have a Championship quality back 5. Kuszczak, Bridge, Upson and poss Bruno are already Prem standard, so should cope for a first season with modest strengthening.
Clean Sheet wrote:You have a point ! But and it's a big BUT
Raymond's, we will have to build a new defensive team over the next 2 years anyway. This is a fantastic acquisition for Brighton. Given the push for the play offs, his experience is ideal.
do you want to be building a new defence if you address trying to survive a first year in the premier ?
UTA
Claude Back
says...
1:11pm Sat 2 Feb 13
jockithenoo wrote:I didn't realise Upson had a big butt. Looks quite slim in the pics.
Clean Sheet wrote:You have a point ! But and it's a big BUT
Raymond's, we will have to build a new defensive team over the next 2 years anyway. This is a fantastic acquisition for Brighton. Given the push for the play offs, his experience is ideal.
do you want to be building a new defence if you address trying to survive a first year in the premier ?
UTA
Claude Back
says...
1:15pm Sat 2 Feb 13
tinker111 wrote:PEd AB QED TTFN.
M U should be a good partner to AB DAB both lack pace(PED ********N) but both no doubt will do a good job in the short term.
brightonup
says...
1:16pm Sat 2 Feb 13
raymondo999 wrote:You imply that you will be worried about the future if we are promoted.....
if he's not lost his edge, should be a great move. But a little worried about the future, if we do get promotion, will need to build a completely new team with all the olds having a limited shelf life.
If that happens, it's true we may do a West Brom and yoyo from the premiership... but we will have the resources and the kudos to build a premiership side to stay up! Don't worry!!
Baldseagull
says...
1:28pm Sat 2 Feb 13
I know many knock Dunky, but I feel he has more potential than El Abd ever had and could make premier league standard if he wants it enough.
raymondo999 says...
9:26am Sat 2 Feb 13