Matthew Upson is masterminding his challenge for an England recall with the
same kind of brain training which helped bring success to Tiger Woods and Lewis
Hamilton.
The West Ham defender enjoys regular sessions with a psychologist, where he
reviews his training, analyses his match performances and sets career targets.
Upson's ultimate goal is to represent his country once again - the last of his
seven caps came in the 1-0 defeat to Spain in November 2004 - and the
28-year-old is building a convincing case for selection as Fabio Capello
finalises his squad for next month's friendly against Switzerland.
Upson has been ever-present at the heart of a West Ham defence which this
season ranks as the most miserly in the Barclays Premier League outside of the
big four clubs.
'I have changed a lot since I last played for England, physically I am in the
best shape of my career and I am a much better player now,' said Upson.
'I won caps and played in competitive internationals but I was not the
finished article. I was not at the level mentally that I am now.
'I was at a point at Birmingham were I was doing OK but not stepping up to
the next level. I want to get the best out of my career and I want to play for
England again, so I needed to change things.
'That is what I have done and I think it is paying off.
'I speak to a psychologist a lot and we analyse everything, my behaviour,
training during the week, everything.
'As a young player I did not pay too much attention to psychology. I don't
think it is something you do unless you are brought up in an environment like
Tiger Woods or Lewis Hamilton, sports stars who are groomed at a young age to be
mentally so advanced.
'But psychology is a massive part of the game, just as much as physical
training.'
That determination to get the best from himself included last January's
£6million move to Upton Park.
Upson signed when West Ham were in the middle of what appeared a hopeless
battle against relegation - and was promptly injured just 30 minutes into his
debut at Aston Villa.
While he was forced to watch most of last-season's dramatically successful
climax from the stands, Upson has been the lynchpin of the West Ham defence this
campaign.
The Hammers tackle Manchester City at Eastlands tomorrow having conceded just
20 times in 21 Premier League games, with goalkeeper Robert Green also enhancing
his England claims this season.
'That record reflects well on the individual and I am trying to impress the
new England manager every time I step out on the pitch,' said Upson.
'I am hungry to play for England again and that is what I am working towards.
It is the pinnacle of every player's career.
'They are assessing every game. If I can get the best of myself and play well
enough, then I believe I will get into the England team again.
'I would be a lot more comfortable in that environment this time. I am 28 and
in centre-back terms I am coming to the peak of my career.'
West Ham were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City just three days but
Upson insists they return north confident of becoming the first side to win a
league game at Eastlands this season.
'Mentally we can prepare well for the game. We can take a lot of positives
out of the cup match. I think we did enough to suggest we are good enough to
take the result this weekend,' said Upson.
Hammers manager Alan Curbishley must decide whether to bring Hayden Mullins
and Carlton Cole back into the side after preferring Lee Bowyer and Luis Boa
Morte in midweek.
French midfielder Julien Faubert is edging closer to a first-team start after
coming through half an hour on Wednesday night.
