Why Upson downs don't worry Bruce

14 April 2012

In one breath, Steve Bruce could not praise the qualities of Matthew Upson highly enough.

In the next, he might well have put the fear of God into the central defender he signed for £3million from Arsenal 10 months ago. "Matthew? First class - as a person and as a professional," said the Birmingham manager, clearly delighted at the progress Upson has made from a frustrated Arsenal reserve to England squad player.

That new-found self-assurance will be put to the test on Saturday, however, when he is confronted by the player Bruce labels "the most complete footballer in the world".

Thierry Henry has tested more experienced and streetwise defenders than the 24-year-old Upson, who will not only have to handle the emotional test of facing his former club but also a player who is so highly rated by his manager.

At St Andrews, Henry will expose any weak chink in Birmingham's defence as Arsenal come to the Midlands for the first game without the suspended Old Trafford four of Lauren, Ray Parlour, Martin Keown and Patrick Vieira.

Bruce was half-hoping Henry had joined them. "Are you sure Thierry Henry shouldn't be in there with them?" he joked. "I am sure I saw him throw an elbow!

"Seriously, Henry is as good as any player around at the moment. Look at the goals he has got and look at the goals he makes. He is the complete front player, probably the most complete in the world. And if he really, really, really wanted to be good in the air, he could be that as well. You only had to see what he did to Germany last weekend. He destroyed them."

Which all means that what was always going to be a difficult match for Upson in his first against his old club could also be the most exacting of the season as he comes head-tohead with Henry. Bruce, however, has no doubts he will cope.

"He will handle the occasion, no problem," said Bruce. "Why? Because he is so level-headed."

But that quality seemed to temporarily desert Upson at Old Trafford last Sunday when his ill-judged lunge brought a penalty - and second equalising goal - for Denmark in their 3-2 win against England. Upson could not escape the criticism-that went with such a crucial mistake. Bruce, however, is convinced he will bounce back. "I am sure it will not affect him," he said. "Suddenly he has been in the spotlight because of that England game but for Birmingham he has made only one or two mistakes in the time he has been here. That is how good he has been.

"As for England, because he is naturally left-sided, I will be amazed if he is not on the plane to Portugal for the Euro 2004 finals. Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell and Jonathan Woodgate - they are all more comfortable on the right. Matt gives the defence balance and I believe, genuinely, there is no better left-sided central defender in the country."

Clearly it is better for Upson & Co that they face an Arsenal side short of four first-team regulars, but Bruce is under no illusion that Arsenal can successfully paper over any cracks.

"For me to be without four players would be a disaster," said Bruce. "But the top clubs such as Arsenal can cope."

And by 5pm on Saturday, Bruce believes he will have an accurate indication of the progress Birmingham have made this season.

"Arsenal, like Manchester United and, this season, Chelsea, are the yardstick for us," he said. "Last season we played them first game of the season and it was welcome to the Pleasuredome time with Birmingham back in the top flight for the first time in 20 years. They beat us 2-0.

Then they came here in January and gave us a hiding by 4-0. It was just after that that I signed Matthew as the final piece of the jigsaw.

"I have no doubt that he could have stayed at Arsenal for the next 10 years and maybe waited for his chance," said Bruce.

"But he wanted regular football and he is getting it now. He wanted to be No1 choice and he most certainly is that now."

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David Jones (Footballer)

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Why Upson downs don't worry Bruce

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