Source: Team_Talk
Grant: Upson staying at Upton Park
Avram Grant is convinced captain Matthew Upson will stay at West Ham this season - but his long-term future remains up in the air.[LNB] Upson is out of contract next summer and West Ham are conscious that the England defender could leave on a free transfer if they cannot persuade him to sign a new deal.[LNB]Co-chairman David Gold wants to keep Upson in claret and blue for the rest of his career, but he admitted today that West Ham would probably have to cash in if they received a bid in excess of £6million.[LNB]That money would come in very handy to Grant, who is treading a financial tightrope as he attempts to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes on September 1.[LNB]But the Hammers boss would rather keep hold of his entire stable of England internationals, having so far successfully fought off Tottenham's summer approach for Scott Parker.[LNB]Grant said: "Ninety per cent of the squad will stay and Matthew Upson is in that 90% who will stay here. We like him, he's good for us and a good captain and he will stay.[LNB]"Scott Parker will play tomorrow (against Bolton) and will be at West Ham in the years to come. We came here to make the new season and the next seasons better than before.[LNB]"I hope we will be busy (before the transfer window closes) because we want the squad to be stronger.[LNB]"To do this we need players because we don't have a few players for some positions. We will try to do it.[LNB]"The resources of the club and the financial situation is not so good, so we have to think about that also.[LNB]"The challenge at West Ham is exciting and it is the reason I came here. We want to take the club forward."[LNB]West Ham did not make an impressive start to the Grant era, collapsing to a 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa that could have been far worse had John Carew had his shooting boots on.[LNB]Grant has introduced a new 4-3-3 system but too often Carlton Cole looked isolated up front.[LNB]It was only when summer signings Pablo Barrera and Frederic Piquionne came on that the Hammers showed any attacking spark.[LNB]One of the positions Grant needs to fill is right-back. New Zealand defender Winston Reid played there against Villa but he was out of position and looked out of his depth.[LNB]The omens do not look good for the visit of Bolton, who have beaten West Ham in each of their last six meetings.[LNB]Grant said: "We didn't win at Aston Villa and we didn't play well but that belongs in the past. The record against Bolton belongs in the past too.[LNB]"They are a very good team. They play good football and don't play like they did before. They are trying to be different and they are doing very well. They were very impressive last year.[LNB]"But of course we want to win."[LNB]West Ham will still be without injured midfield pair Thomas Hitzlsperger and Valon Behrami, while Benni McCarthy is closing in on a return to fitness.[LNB]The overweight South Africa striker has lost a kilogram in the past week and Grant anticipates he will be back in action in mid-September.[LNB]"I expect him to be fit as soon as he can be," Grant said. "He is a good player and the important thing is that he is trying and I expect him to try harder next week."[LNB]West Ham have made their first home game of the season a 'Kids For A Quid' game and Grant is determined to give Upton Park something positive to shout about.[LNB]"Everybody likes to play at home in front of their supporters and they were great in the last game. Even though we didn't play so well the fans sang until the last minute," said Grant.[LNB]"We will try our best to help them support us for the whole season."
