Upson urges calm on Birmingham derby day

Matthew Upson has spelt out the need for players from both sides to keep their cool when Birmingham take on Aston Villa at St Andrews on Sunday.

Blues defender Upson’s first taste of the derby boiled over last season when the Villa pair of Dion Dublin and Joey Gudjohnsen were both sent off as Birmingham pulled off a 2-0 away triumph to complete a double.

Upson believes the behaviour of the two teams further incited the crowd and led to the ugly scenes in and outside the ground including when one Villa fan ran onto the pitch to confront Blues midfielder Robbie Savage.

Former Arsenal player Upson is keen that any repeat is avoided on Sunday and feels the players have a duty to set an example.

Upson said: “If the Villa Park derby is anything to go by, the one at St Andrews on Sunday will be pretty hectic although some of the tackles that went in happen every week.

“It was just the fact that the match was live on television and was a derby containing a lot of passion.

“But I don’t think it is an excuse for players to go about losing their head just because the crowd are really up for the game. There will be that extra aggression but it is important to set the right example.”

Upson was a member of the England squad that drew with Turkey in Istanbul last weekend and he feels the hostile atmosphere in that game can help him deal with a similar scenario on Sunday.

He said: “You can draw comparisons with what it was like in Istanbul to what it is going to be like on Sunday.

“It was very, very hostile in Turkey but then the atmosphere at our game against Chelsea on Tuesday was also very vocal. If that is anything to go by, then Sunday will be very good.

“But it’s fair to say that the atmosphere in Istanbul was a good thing for me to have and to experience before a game like this derby.”

Blues are sweating on the fitness of Robbie Savage (Achilles) while keeper Maik Taylor will miss the game through suspension after his harsh sending off at Manchester United for bringing down Paul Scholes for a penalty.

But Upson has no doubts that the long-serving Ian Bennett will prove an adequate deputy for the on-loan Fulham player.

He said: “There are no concerns at all. Benno has been looking quite sharp in training and I am sure he has played in some big games in his time at Birmingham.

“We have all got no qualms about Benno playing behind us in goal. He has been a great servant for the club and is a very capable player.”

Savage is trying to stay upbeat about his chances of playing but will not take an unnecessary risk as he is aware that could lead to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.