Matthew Upson

Date of Birth : 18th April, 1979 Place of Birth : Suffolk Signed : August 2006 (Birmingham City) Position : Centre Half Height : 6.1 Weight : 11.4 Appearances : 29 Goals : 1 International Appearances : 7

KB: KUMB; HM Hammers Mad; ST Sunday Times; SE Sunday Express; SM Sunday Mirror; OB Observer;
DM Daily Mirror; GU Guardian; TM Times; HD Hammers Diary; SK Sky; DE Daily Express

Daily Mirror: Matthew Upson underlined his international credentials to Fabio Capello on the day England's greatest-ever captain was remembered by his two former clubs. Legendary World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, who died of cancer 15 years ago yesterday aged only 51, was honoured with a minute's applause from both sets of fans. And it was fitting that Upson rose to the occasion with a performance worthy of Moore's famous No.6 shirt to enhance his chances of keeping his place in Capello's line-up for next month's friendly in France. Upson has gone from strength to strength this season and seems to have grown in stature since Capello surprisingly picked him for his first game in charge as England boss against Switzerland. Capello was at Craven Cottage to cast an eye over Upson and Hammers keeper Robert Green, and cannot have failed to notice Mark Noble's outstanding midfield performance. (John Cross, 25th February, 2008)

The Guardian: Alan Curbishley took over an ailing side midway through last season and like Hodgson he was preparing for the worst. Not now. West Ham are in ninth position and only seven points off the Uefa Cup places. Key to their resurgence has been a steady and defiant defence which has conceded only 23 goals this season. Matthew Upson stands tall at the centre of it and it was apt that he should again excel on the day when the 15th anniversary of Bobby Moore's death was remembered by the two clubs who called the World Cup-winning captain one of their own. Like him, Upson wears the claret-and-blue No6 shirt. (Sachin Nakrani, 25th February, 2008).

The Times: Robert Green had “England’s No 6” stitched on to his gloves, self-mocking his position in the country’s goalkeeping pecking order, but Fabio Capello’s early impressions about the shortcomings of the outfield players would only have been crystallised on the evidence of this encounter. The warm welcome afforded to the England manager soon plummeted into a cold chill as he left Upton Park on Saturday evening. Capello was able to scrub out nine players from the starting line-ups not at his disposal as he took his seat. Only Green and Matthew Upson, the brightest of the West Ham United players, could have been circled for further interest. (Gary Jacob, 11th February, 2008)

Sky Sports: Ronaldo was presented with the chance to make it 2-0 midway through the second half, but he drilled his penalty wide after Jonathan Spector was penalised for handball. Yet West Ham had been the better side for large swathes of the game and drew level on 77 minutes when substitute Anton Ferdinand headed home Mark Noble's corner. Noble was the creator for his side's winning goal on 82 minutes, curling in a free-kick from the right which Matthew Upson rose well to meet for his first goal for the club.

BBC Sport: Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty for Manchester United proved crucial at West Ham as the Premier League champions were beaten at Upton Park. United got an early let-off when Hayden Mullins hit the woodwork and Mark Noble blazed high from the rebound. Ronaldo quickly made the Hammers pay when he headed in a Ryan Giggs cross. But Ronaldo missed a penalty and that inspired West Ham into a late rally, which saw Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson each head in for the win.

KUMB: Over the 90 minutes we were worth a point. No question. The defence looked strong with the central defensive pairing of Upson and Gabbidon in particular looking good. This time last year we were lucky to see a central defensive pairing last ten minutes and it is no coincidence that the defence’s improvement has come with the arrival of a settled back four. A little bit more flair and pace further up the pitch with the return of Bellamy will, I’m sure, make a lot of difference to the side. (Gordon Thrower, 2nd December, 2007)

Daily Mirror: Hammers centre-backs Matthew Upson and Danny Gabbidon were outstanding, Gabbidon in particular for the way he kept Didier Drogba under lock and key. But when the goal finally came it was route one - and was also half a yard offside. Carlo Cudicini's clearance was nodded on by Drogba, then by Kalou, and Cole raced away before firing into the roof of the net. (John Cross, 3rd December, 2007)

The Independent: While the £7 million man went straight in, his former sparring partner became one of three casualties from the opening-day side, and Curbishley took another bold decision by handing the captaincy to Matthew Upson in the absence of Lucas Neill, Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg. The repeatedly booed ex-Birmingham defender was faultless. (David Instone, 19th August)

The Observer: Elano played in every game of Brazil's Copa America campaign this summer. Here his pace made a mug of Matthew Upson. It also took him to the right of West Ham's area. His cross may have been a shot. Or vice-versa. But it was definitely going wide until Bianchi, scorer of 18 goals for Serie A strugglers Reggina last season, slid in. (Jamie Jackson, 12th August)

KUMB: The total lack of challenge for the first goal was par for the course. Won a few headers that invariably landed at the feet of the opposition. (Gordon Thrower, 11th August)

Sky Sports: It was Elano who provided the touch of class though. Deployed just behind lone striker Bianchi, Elano found space intelligently, never lost his composure and always threatened to cause problems. The 26-year-old had already fired one snap-shot over when he collected Stephen Ireland's short pass after Luis Boa Morte had lost possession inside the City half. Quickly sensing Matthew Upson might lack half a yard of pace, Elano ran straight at the England defender, then skipped round him with the minimum of fuss. The low cross invited a far post finish and Bianchi - fourth highest scorer in Serie A last term - was on hand to tap home. (Andy Clarke, 11th August)

Hammers Diary: At half time Curbishley subbed Bowyer and Boa Morte and brought on Etherington and Mullins. The first twenty minutes of the second half showed a little promise. Etherington constantly raced down the left and crossed the ball, only to find no one there. Etherington did more in the first five minutes of the second half than Boa Morte had done in the entire first half. Boa Morte didn’t seem to realise he was on the left and constantly went in field. It was left to Bellamy to ply his trade down the left. But when Dean Ashton came on... Curbishley brought off McCartney (who headed straight down the tunnel) and unbelievably moved Etherington to left back. After that he disappeared. (Iain Dale, 11th August)

WestHamOnline: Didn’t look all that comfortable today with he and Ferdinand often getting themselves caught by the high and hopeful ball towards them. Upson also looked seriously short on pace which was shown for the first goal when Elano mugged him good and proper but just knocking the ball away from him. Disappointing. (Vinny, 11th August)

The Daily Mail: Upson is certainly hoping for a bit of luck for himself. The 28-year-old whose progress as a highly-rated Arsenal youngster was severely restricted by a ruptured cruciate knee ligament and then a broken leg - as well as the presence of centre-backs like Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Sol Campbell - won seven England caps in his four years at at Birmingham, but tore a calf muscle on his Hammers debut at Aston Villa in February. He had played for only 28 minutes and managed just 11 minutes of a comeback attempt against Tottenham a month later. "There is plenty of competition for places and the manager has some nice selection problems. "There are five of us vying for two spots at centre-back and although I could fill in on the left at times I want to make one of those spots mine, no argument. (30th July, 2007)

KUMB: Anton Ferdinand has revealed that he is looking forward to the challenge of retaining his first team spot next season.Ferdinand, who along with Matthew Upson, Calum Davenport, James Collins and Danny Gabbidon will be fighting for the two available central defensive spots revealed that he wasn't phased by the competition - and that he still saw his long-term future with the Hammers. "I definitely want to stay," he said. "I would not be at the club now if that was not the case. "I am happy to fight because if you're not playing well, you know you are not going to be playing the following week. (23rd July, 2007)