Matthew Upson believes a trip abroad this week can benefit West Ham in their fight for Premier League survival.
Hammers set for break abroad
Matthew Upson believes a trip abroad this week can benefit West Ham in their fight for Premier League survival.
The Hammers squad will embark on a three-day mid-season training camp in Portugal ahead of their FA Cup match against Stoke next Sunday.
Fulham went on a similar journey last month, taking part in activities such as golf and fishing before returning refreshed to draw at high-flying Manchester City and beat Blackburn.
Upson feels such bonding sessions can prove helpful as West Ham prepare for a tough run of league fixtures against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.
"It has a value, absolutely. There's a place for it," said Upson.
"If you get the time and the right scenario and the right group and get it together, there's a definite advantage in doing that with the team."
He added: "I think we'll get some golf in, definitely.
"Everyone's been working hard and training hard for six, seven months now.
"So it's nice to get that mental relaxation as well as physical."
Da Costa praise
West Ham clambered out of the drop zone courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Stoke on Saturday, with Upson impressive in the heart of defence alongside Manuel da Costa.
Da Costa also performed well to help the Hammers keep their first clean sheet in the league since New Year's Day, while he also scored the second goal.
Upson has been pleased with the development of the French-born Portuguese player but feels he can get even better.
"If you're going to criticise him in any way, you'd say experience-wise and his decision-making, he could be a bit calmer at times," said Upson, who revealed he mostly uses 'eye contact' and 'sign language' to communicate with a player who hardly speaks a word of English.
"But when you want somebody in a game to go and attack a ball and get physical with someone, there's not many better.
"Physically, he's one of the best players I've seen."
