Further financial folly from the Hammers

The signature of Matthew Upson from Birmingham could eventually cost West Ham as much as 7.5 million pounds. Alan Curbishley will argue that if Upson helps keep them in the Premiership, he will be have paid for himself several times over but there is no escaping that West Ham have paid well over the odds for a player whose contract expires in 18 months and they could have had for 1 million at the end of the season. To be fair to Curbishley, he had to do something as West Ham's defence is leaking goals in embarrassing fashion, but there will be dire financial consequences if the club goes down. Upson has apparently also had a clause inserted in his contract, like the now injured Lucas Neill, allowing him to leave the club in the event of their relegation. The irony would not be lost on Birmingham fans if they fill West Ham's place in the division and Upson is forced to move on once more.