Upson in January?

[basskadet]

The NOTW are reporting that we are preparing a January bid of £6m for West Ham's Matty Upson.

There's no doubt that Upson would be a superb signing for us & would go a long way in removing the constant concern over our other 2 experienced CB's, Woody & King, fitness.

Whether we do go for Upson in the end we have to wait & see tho, but it seems almost definite now that Harry is going to add to our options in central defence.

Another thing, if we did sign Upson & got everyone back to full fitness we would have 3 big name, experienced CBs, 2 younger, upcoming CBs al expectant of starting places & not to mention all the youngsters who might've been hoping to capitalise on our CB problems.

I cannot see it staying like that for long so I'm guessing that Harry sees at least 1 of Woody or King's days may be numbered. However, Upson's own career has been littered with injury & he is, again, sitting on the sidelines at West Ham due to a niggle.

West Ham, apparently, wanted £15m for him when we asked in the summer window. If we get him for anything like the £6m being rumoured, I think it will be great business on our part.

Anyway, I'm just glad that, for once, Spurs actually appear to be identifying problem areas & trying to find actual like-for-like solutions to them, instead of just buying any old player with a good reputation to force into an unfamiliar role.

Spurs want Upson in January

[Eighteen82]

Maintained throughout he would be a superb signing and my opinion hasn't changed.

[SirBillyNick]

if West Ham are down where they are now in January, I could see him jumping ship and I for one would take him.

[berby999]

I think he is overrated. I would prefer to spend a bit more and try to find ledleys long term replacement even if that means looking abroad. We already have enough center backs of Upsons quality and don't want to overload the squad with them.

[kevfball63]

The fact that they are likely to create a bidding war will make this a last minute deal .

[basskadet]

I've read some interesting things recently about new methods in repairing degenerative knee tissue such as cartilage. Traditional methods, such as meniscal transplants, have failed to work on Ledley but I wouldn't give up on him just yet & some of the results of these new cell growth technologies have been quite successful &, in a way, I would love to see Spurs invest a bit of money in Ledley & send him to a consultant in these new technologies to see if they can help his situation. If we could get him back & just training at least a couple of days a week then his career could be on the up again & we would not need another experienced CB.

The fact that they are likely to create a bidding war will make this a last minute deal .

Who are they going to invoke a bidding war with tho? City already bought Lescott & Toure, Everton brought in Heitinga, Villa got Collins & Dunne so I can't think of any other team that Upson would leave West Ham for

[HeroesComesandGoes]

His form for West Ham resulted in recent England call-ups. With the quota to have home grown players implemented soon, Upson would suit us. King's contract is up for renewal next year, whether it would be renewed is a question-mark. Do we extend his contract purely because he's been loyal to Spurs or do we look out for Spurs' interest and choose not to renew because of his liabilities?

[Eighteen82]

I think we renew Kings contract because he's not only been loyal, but he's the best CB in the world, and to have him play even 1-2 times a month would be worth it.

[kevfball63]

I've read some interesting things recently about new methods in repairing degenerative knee tissue such as cartilage. Traditional methods, such as meniscal transplants, have failed to work on Ledley but I wouldn't give up on him just yet & some of the results of these new cell growth technologies have been quite successful &, in a way, I would love to see Spurs invest a bit of money in Ledley & send him to a consultant in these new technologies to see if they can help his situation. If we could get him back & just training at least a couple of days a week then his career could be on the up again & we would not need another experienced CB.

I would have thought that if there is anything that could be done , then Ledley would be the first one under the knife - When they are positive with results bassk . We certainly wont allow him to be a guinea pig , therefore we have to wait for the success rates to come through first . That means no time soon .

[basskadet]

I hear ya Kev but I'm not so sure that they have explored every avenue. Maybe at 1 point but I think they've now accepted that Ledley's future is what it is.

However, this new stuff, which involves some sort of injected hydrogel, seems to be relatively low risk, it'll either work or it won't but it won't make anything worse. I've heard some pretty amazing things about stem cells, etc & it is moving at a very fast rate to there now being lots of different treatments now being offered in America that use this sort of method to repair knee damage, so Ledley would not be much of a guinea pig. I would at least consider sending him to a consultant. I don't know enough about either these new treatments nor Ledley's injuries but from the bits I've heard here & there it sounds at the very least worth a try

[kevfball63]

I see what your saying low risk high reward , but if it means the player has to be laid up for weeks on the chance that it can work - then we lose playing time . If we had more cover for his place i could deal with it , but we dont .

[contrast]

This would be brilliant, especially if a war is avoided and we get him for £6m!!

[DarlingtonYid]

i think west ham have sed in the past they wont sell players to us ?

[Eighteen82]

i think west ham have sed in the past they wont sell players to us ?

They're not really in a position to be making statements like that. If Upson wants to leave, he will.

[SirBillyNick]

i think west ham have sed in the past they wont sell players to us ?

you mean after Defoe and Carrick?