PUBLISHED
17:00 15th September 2013
by Adam Tighe
Mentally he was hungry for the ball and made the choice to try and win it"
Matthew Upson
Matthew Upson defended Leonardo Ulloa following the striker’s dismissal against Reading.The Argentinean was sent off in the 38th minute for a high challenge on Alex Pearce, but Upson was adamant that it was not malicious.Matthew Upson
He told seagulls.co.uk, “Leo got caught up in the original tussle with Morrison; he got the better of that and was onto the loose ball but just over-stretched as Pearce came across.
“Mentally he was hungry for the ball and made the choice to try and win it, which was probably the wrong one as the ball was 60/40 in Pearce’s favour.
“He half pulled out at the end and didn’t hurt him but the referee didn’t have a choice, especially with the red card happening five minutes earlier.
“With a man advantage at that point in time there was no doubt in my mind that we would go on and win the game so it was disappointing, but Leo has been such a great player for us and it is one of those things.*
“We all have to pick ourselves up and get on without him for the next few games.”
Albion kept a third clean sheet in four games with their shut-out at the Madejski Stadium and the former England international was quick to praise his centre-back partner Gordon Greer.
“Gordon brings something different to the squad because he is very capable with the ball, he wants the ball to bring out from the back and play.
“He is very calm and composed and his current form is probably the best of his career. I’m enjoying playing with him.”
Original article