Matthew Upson has attempted to repair England’s relationship with their disgruntled fans in South Africa by pleading with them to get back behind the team for their critical World Cup group game against Slovenia tomorrow.
In the latest attempt by England to improve their deteriorating public relations, the centre half said that he understood why supporters booed the side after their hugely disappointing 0-0 draw with Algeria in group C on Friday evening.
That would appear to be a response to Wayne Rooney, the England forward, who walked up to a TV camera after the game and criticised the fans’ loyalty, a startling act for which he subsequently apologised.
Upson, who will replace the suspended Jamie Carragher at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, said: “I couldn’t blame them for being disappointed. It’s an obvious reaction. We were very disappointed. But I’d stress that the team still needs your support.
“It doesn’t go unnoticed by any means. There’s nothing better than walking into the stadium and we’ve literally taken over the whole place, like we do everywhere we go. It’s a fantastic group of supporters to play in front of. Please get behind us.”
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The carefully managed interview was published on the FA’s official website today. It follows a Frank Lampard press conference and TV interviews with Fabio Capello yesterday that attempted to improve the situation surrounding the national team.
Over the weekend David James and, more pointedly, John Terry had made outspoken comments that implied there was disharmony in the England camp and suggested Capello had lost the respect of his players.
However, Upson suggested that the players were to blame for poor performances in their two opening group games and said it was up to them to turn the World Cup campaign around.
“Everyone’s been committed to the start,” he said. “It’s a case of our approach to the games, our mentality in the matches... everyone’s got great ability. They wouldn’t be here if they couldn’t do the job.
“We need to get the best out of ourselves. If individually we can press the button, play our best, the team will be successful. It’s down to us as individuals to make sure we’re in the right frame of mind and to go out let it flow, hold nothing back.”