Matthew Upson endured a miserable end to a whirlwind week following his deadline day £7.5m switch from Birmingham to West Ham. His anticipated debut ended in less than happy circumstances as he left the field after just 28 minutes. But after working his way back to full fitness following a broken leg, double hernia, cruciate ligament problems and a ruptured Achilles, a calf strain is the least of his worries. Clarky caught up with him this week.
Q:WHAT IS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND AT THE MOMENT?
A:A mixture of emotions. That's life. That's what happens, but it's not all doom and gloom. I don't think Villa Park is a particularly lucky ground for me. But it's one of those things. It has nothing to do with anything that's gone on in the past. I jumped high and landed off balance and put too much stress through my right calf and it has tightened up. There are no major, major problems to the muscle. It's not a big issue.
Q:WHAT WERE YOU THINKING AS YOU SAT ON THE GROUND WAITING FOR THE PHYSIO?
A:Just disappointment. I'm desperate to play and keep this club in the Premier League. This is what I've been brought here to do and I feel an obligation to do that. I genuinely want to play football at the top level. I feel in condition in my mind to be able to do that. I felt good during what time I had on the pitch. I felt steady and calm and physically in good condition. The injury is one of those things. I can't do anything about it other than think positively and get back as quickly as I can.
Q:LUCAS NEILL ALSO HAD A NIGHTMARE DEBUT, IS THERE TALK OF A CURSE?
A:That's just how it is in football. Things happen. You get some bad luck in football and some good luck. You have just got to make the best of it.
Q:YOU MUST BE ANXIOUS TO DRAW A LINE UNDER EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS?
A:It's been hectic and during the week I moved from Birmingham, I must admit that I didn't sleep much. I needed to have a couple of days rest and relaxing and getting the injury right and going again. I'm going to be positive and let's hope I can get out on the pitch quickly and start doing the business.
Q:DO YOU HAVE ANY BAD FEELINGS TOWARDS STEVE BRUCE, NOW?
A:Of course not. Whatever has happened to him he has commented on. My relationship with him is fine. I've had a conversation with him. We have thanked each other for the last four years and we have moved on. His gripe is with the board to be fair. He told me that, exactly.
Q:DEEP DOWN DO YOU HOPE TO MEET THEM IN THE PREMIERSHIP?
A:I hope so. That would be ideal because it would mean they'll clinch promotion and we stay up.
Q:THERE'S A FIVE-POINT GAP AT THE BOTTOM NOW, ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THAT?
A:There are still a lot of games to go and a lot of points to play for. It's not what you want, obviously, to be chasing down points at this stage of the season when you are stuck in the bottom three. I haven't seen too much of the team to be honest but if this side starts playing with a bit more belief, it has got the quality, it has got the players to stay in the Premier League. I'm convinced that we will turn the corner. It would be better for everyone if we could do it sooner, rather than later. It's by no means over.
Q:WHEN PORTSMOUTH BOUGHT SOME PLAYERS LAST SEASON, IT TOOK TIME TO BED THEM TOGETHER, BUT YOU CAN SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENING HERE?
A:Exactly. There is no panic at the moment. I think we have the players to do it. No question.
Q:IT'S FORTUNATE YOU HAVE A TWO-WEEK BREAK AFTER THE WATFORD GAME, ISN'T IT?
A:Well, if I'm not fit for that game, it gives me time to get myself ready for the next one, so as far as I'm concerned it's an opportune time for a break.
