Thu 15 Sep
Time to read: 2mins
Nigel Pearson says Alex Pearce ‘deserved an opportunity’ after making his first league start in a Derby County shirt on Tuesday.
The Republic of Ireland international defender, 27, has found first-team outings limited since joining from Reading in the summer of 2015.
A handful of cup appearances and a brief outing off the bench in Derby’s 1-0 win at Preston North End last month were his only previous action for the Rams, while he spent the second half of last season on loan at Bristol City.
After biding his time and waiting patiently for an opportunity in the league, Pearson named Pearce in the starting line-up against the Tractor Boys.
The centre-back produced an assured performance alongside Richard Keogh at the heart of the defence and earned words of praise from the Derby boss.
Pearson told Rams Player HD: “He (Alex Pearce) came in and played very well.
“He deserved to be on the winning side, like the rest of the team, but he wasn’t (Derby lost 1-0).
“I thought that he deserved an opportunity. It’s the same with all the players - myself as the manager and as a coaching staff – we always pick the side that is the right one on any given day.”
Pearce’s introduction into the side was one of two changes following Derby’s previous fixture against Newcastle United.
Jacob Butterfield also came into the side, at the expense of the injured Johnny Russell, and Pearson was also pleased with his display in a wide midfield role.
He added: “Jacob Butterfield came in and did exceptionally well too; I felt that we didn’t have any weak performers in the game.”
