Bruce In Defence Of Upson
Last updated : 19 November 2003 By Brian Cartlidge
Upson has come in for some stick from the media after an indifferent performance at Old Trafford but Bruce has hit back: "I am not bothered about what other people write about Matthew but I will protect him because he has been fantastic for me," he told the Press Association.
"As far as I am concerned, he has given away a penalty - and that is all. And that happens. It happens if you are a defender. We have all been there." "Over the past 10 months since he has come to us, Matthew has grown in stature as a player. He will get better.
"In terms of games played, Matthew is still relatively inexperienced. He will be all the better for it and I will be amazed if he is not on the plane to Portugal as part of the England squad because he is naturally left-sided.
"I said six to eight weeks ago that he is the best left-sided defender in the country and I am still sticking with that. He gives the team so much balance."
