Source: Daily_Mail
Matt Upson states his case to overtake Rio Ferdinand as England's new middle man
[LNB] Matthew Upson believes the battle for a place at the heart of the Englanddefence is 'not an open and shut case any more' as he looks to cement a spotin Fabio Capello's World Cup squad. [LNB]Upson has started eight of England's last 14 internationals, includingSaturday's 1-0 defeat against Brazil in Doha when skipper John Terry and RioFerdinand were both injured. [LNB]The West Ham centre-back feels he is 'heading in the right direction' in thescrap to be on the plane to South Africa next June but knows he has to sustainhis form at club level to stay in Capello's plans. [LNB] Up, up and away: Matt Upson is wants to be one of the first choice centre-backs for England[LNB]Upson said: 'On a personal note, it is always best toput yourself up against the best players in the world and measure yourselfagainst that. It was a great opportunity against Brazil. [LNB]'I've started quite a few internationals, I am delighted with the way it isgoing. I've been enjoying the international experience and think I'm reallypushing a case forward. [LNB]'I've got to keep my domestic form going at West Ham, which I am really on topof, and I want to keep pushing. [LNB]'I am desperate to go to the World Cup and I want to be part of the team. I am heading in the right direction. I've been working very hard for the lastfour or five years to elevate myself to this level. [LNB]'I'm pleased to be where I am, I want to keep improving and I want to getbetter. That is my goal.[LNB] Comfort: Upson feels at home in Fabio Capello's England set-up[LNB]Upson admits he can sense the determination to try to be on the plane for SouthAfrica hotting up during international get-togethers. [LNB]He said: 'At the moment, every player wants to grab every single second on thepitch and make the most of it. It is the best part of any player's career. [LNB]'Everyone wants to be part of it and that competition amongst the players isexactly what we need. It is always going to happen approaching a World Cup. [LNB]'People are going to want to be involved, are going to want to do their best.It can only be a positive thing for the team. [LNB]'We now have no international football for nearly four months and it is a longbreak. There are a lot of matches to be played and a lot of domestic things tobe sorted out. [LNB] [LNB]'We will be kept pretty busy with that but everyone has got one eye on theWorld Cup and their form going into the summer is crucial for a lot of people. [LNB]'People are going to want to improve and impress and want to get themselves onthe plane and every game is crucial. [LNB]'The manager or his staff watch every gameso they know exactly how you are performing.' [LNB]Upson admitted England found Brazil hard to cope with in the hot conditions. [LNB]He said: 'We lost the game, which was disappointing, although I think we put agood case forward and played a pretty good game considering. [LNB]'But Brazil are technically very good and in those type of conditions, theyare hard to play against.[LNB]'They keep the ball so well, they slow the game right down and then hit youvery quickly. You have got to have good focus for 90 minutes.'[LNB] Jose Mourinho and Laurent Blanc in line to succeed Ferguson at United Fergie in for £20m Carlton - Manchester United to fight Liverpool for West Ham's Cole England captain Wayne Rooney admits: 'Brazil were much the better team'[LNB] Explore more:People:Fabio Capello, Matthew Upson, John Terry, Rio FerdinandPlaces:Brazil, South Africa, United Kingdom
