Alex Pearce

[Extended-Phenotype]

Think Morrison is good. So are Mariappa and Cummings for that matter.

Just think you need one leader in the back four. Dunno why Gorkss has gone to pot, but we could do with getting a new experienced CB in during January.

Either that or look at the midfield more - are they doing enough to cover the defence? Tabby and Legs seem to run about a lot but I'm not convinced by them positionally.

[Victor Meldrew]

He's being frozen out on the basis he's not signed a new deal.

I know that for a fact (whether you trust me or not is up to you) that no deal has been done with Liverpool. Even if I didn't know that, you simply wouldn't see a player like Pearce tapped up all the way back in September.

The club made barely any effort to sit down with him and thrash out a new deal until recently. They were far more worried with recruiting new players then tying up Federici, then Karacan and just expected Pearce to sign on the cheap and be done with it. Problem was, Pearce wasn't just going to sign like a good little academy lad and instead wanted a fair wage based on what others were earning in the first team, not the top wage just a fair one for a player who had been loyal and been voted player of the season last year.

I don't know the exact figure but I'm told he isn't even after Federici's level of cash. It's true he changed agents this summer and that's probably pushed up the asking price a little and delayed negotiations, but as others have said why isn't a young defender coming into his prime and seeing others given big deals, entitled to ask for similar terms?

To be fair I think the club has handled this all wrong. Why on earth they waited until this season to start serious negotiations is beyond me and how they've let it affect team selection is poor beyond words. There should have been a serious offer on the table 18 months ago or at least at the start of the season.

My own theory is that perhaps Brian or Nick Hammond just doesn't rate him long term and they're hoping somebody else emerges. They've dropped Pearce plenty of times before and just don't want to gamble on giving him a serious Premier League wage as they don't rate him quite that highly.

I think you, finally, hit the nail on the head with that last sentence and.................................it's been my view for a long time that he has yet to show he's got what it takes to become an established top flight player, with a serious lack of pace being a significant shortcoming that age is only likely to make worse.

The club has a history of handing long term contracts to those they really rate and by dropping he who is refusing to sign, a younger player, with far less experience and in just a handful of matches has, indeed, "emerged" as the best centre half at the club.

Pearce thoroughly deserved his Player Of The Season in our Championship winning campaign but that doesn't make him a top flight performer. I agree with those who say others haven't justified their Mega Bucks contracts but neither has Pearce shown he's worth that kind of money.

On their respective debuts (at a similar age, I believe) Morrison was a better player in the top flight than Pearce was in the Championship.

On that basis, if I were Nick Hammond I would see us as, having one central defender in the bag, needing to prioritize spending in January to find a quality partner and, in Pearce, a reluctant signer who is expendable should push come to shove.

If I were Pearce, it's decision time. He should either, sign a realistic contract and hope to make a similar impact on the pitch as Morrison (which would see the club jumping through hoops to give him an improved offer) or, make plans to move by the end of the season.

Often we are in disagreement but not on this one.
As I said earlier, and is often the case when a player is not in the side, his reputation has grown and grown through not playing.

[cmonurz]

If I were Pearce, it's decision time. He should either, sign a realistic contract and hope to make a similar impact on the pitch as Morrison (which would see the club jumping through hoops to give him an improved offer) or, make plans to move by the end of the season.

Can't agree at all that Morrison has shown in a handful of games more than Pearce has done for this club, or at this level.

[melonhead]

not more, no

but then i doubt he is on more than pearce has been offered, so...

[maffff]

Either that or look at the midfield more - are they doing enough to cover the defence? Tabby and Legs seem to run about a lot but I'm not convinced by them positionally.

That's what it fundamentally comes down to..........lack of defensive cover. McCleary doesn't provide as much as Kebe, Leigertwood and Tabb don't seem to, especially come the second half Tabby is shot to sh/t covering having run over 7miles already.

[Victor Meldrew]

If I were Pearce, it's decision time. He should either, sign a realistic contract and hope to make a similar impact on the pitch as Morrison (which would see the club jumping through hoops to give him an improved offer) or, make plans to move by the end of the season.

Can't agree at all that Morrison has shown in a handful of games more than Pearce has done for this club, or at this level.

I think the point about Morrison is that he looks comfortable on the ball and is a real physical presence.
No,he is not yet as good as a lot of posters have been implying but for a guy 3 years younger than Pearce and with no experience of even Championship football he has done well in these few games.
I thought seeing only a bit of him last season and in just a pre-season this time he would be too cumbersome for the top level but he has quickly improved and grasped his opportunity whereas I get the impression that Pearce thinks he has made it when in fact he might only turn out (like a lot of our players) to just be a good Championship player.
Time will tell.

[Ups and Downs]

Thought Morrison and Cummings were mostly to blame for defence on Saturday.

Seems they just aren't talking to each other. Or if they are aren't all listening to each other.

Shorey played Van Persie on side when everyone else had stepped up etc etc etc

Not Cummings' greatest fan, but Robson-Kanu did oxf*rd all to help him out on United's 1st & 3rd goals. Half-arsed logging back whilst the man he was tracking continued to run beyond Cummings.

Very bad positioning from Morrison for those two goals but you're right, Robsons-Kanus pathetic jog back when we are playing United made me think he should be dropped immediately. Match Of The Day showed Rooney tracking back and defending like fukk and HRK gives up completely when he should have been busting a nut to get in a helpful position. Arsehole!

[Woodcote Royal]

If I were Pearce, it's decision time. He should either, sign a realistic contract and hope to make a similar impact on the pitch as Morrison (which would see the club jumping through hoops to give him an improved offer) or, make plans to move by the end of the season.

Can't agree at all that Morrison has shown in a handful of games more than Pearce has done for this club, or at this level.

Forget last season, when we clearly had a very decent central pairing for that level.

This is about creating a Premiership defence that doesn't leak goals like a sieve and, with Brian rightly shuffling his pack in search of the desired blend, all of our centre halves have had a fair chance with none of them playing that many matches.

In my view, the best performer in that time has been Morrison. Yes, he's raw, yes it's tough on Gorkss and Pearce who did so well last season but there's no room for sentiment here as we compete for some of the highest stakes in world sport.

It's not Pearce's fault that he isn't the quickest or that it's easier for Morrison (being one seriously big fcuker ) to intimidate world class strikers or get his head in the clouds to divert Shorey's crosses into the back of the net, it's just the way it is.

However, as Victor says, he has other qualities that are not down to his size. These add to an overall package that could render him not only our best centre half but one who might prove hard to hang onto as soon as next month. Watch this space.

[pea]

Very bad positioning from Morrison for those two goals but you're right, Robsons-Kanus pathetic jog back when we are playing United made me think he should be dropped immediately. Match Of The Day showed Rooney tracking back and defending like fukk and HRK gives up completely when he should have been busting a nut to get in a helpful position. Arsehole!

2nd best player on the pitch and in Sky's team of the week

Tabb was the one who watched his man run past him, although HRK could have helped Cummings out in the second half better

[royal67]

If I were Pearce, it's decision time. He should either, sign a realistic contract and hope to make a similar impact on the pitch as Morrison (which would see the club jumping through hoops to give him an improved offer) or, make plans to move by the end of the season.

Can't agree at all that Morrison has shown in a handful of games more than Pearce has done for this club, or at this level.

Forget last season, when we clearly had a very decent central pairing for that level.

This is about creating a Premiership defence that doesn't leak goals like a sieve and, with Brian rightly shuffling his pack in search of the desired blend, all of our centre halves have had a fair chance with none of them playing that many matches.

In my view, the best performer in that timer has been Morrison. Yes, he's raw, yes it's tough on Gorkss and Pearce who did so well last season but there's no room sentiment here as we compete for some of the highest stakes in world sport.

It's not Pearce's fault that he isn't the quickest or that it's easier for Morrison (being one seriously big fcuker ) to intimidate world class strikers or get his head in the clouds to divert Shorey's crosses into the back of the net, it's just the way it is.

However, as Victor says, he has other qualities that are not down to his size. These add to an overall package that could render him not only our best centre half but one who might prove hard to hang onto as soon as next month. Watch this space.

Good post Woodcote.... Well done.....

[Ian Royal]

Thought Morrison and Cummings were mostly to blame for defence on Saturday.

Seems they just aren't talking to each other. Or if they are aren't all listening to each other.

Shorey played Van Persie on side when everyone else had stepped up etc etc etc

IMO this is what Pearce was good at - he always seemed to me to keep everything organised and we looked far better drilled with him involved.. Morro's a bit inexperienced to be the leader, though he has potential. Gorkss is all over the shop. Gunter and Cummings aren't leaders and neither is Shorey. I don't see it in Mariappa yet, although early days for him at the club.

[If you still hate Futcher]

Very bad positioning from Morrison for those two goals but you're right, Robsons-Kanus pathetic jog back when we are playing United made me think he should be dropped immediately. Match Of The Day showed Rooney tracking back and defending like fukk and HRK gives up completely when he should have been busting a nut to get in a helpful position. Arsehole!

2nd best player on the pitch and in Sky's team of the week

Tabb was the one who watched his man run past him, although HRK could have helped Cummings out in the second half better

I guess you're talking about the 3rd goal where Hal lets Evra run inside him leaving Tabb busting a gut to get back instead. Had Hal put in a bit of effort he could have cut the ball out before it got to Evra.

I am left wondering though whether whoever is on the right wing is told not to track back as it seems whoever has played there (baring Mr Kebe) often lets their man go

[Haag Royal]

Am I alone in wondering why BBC Radio Berks gave Robson- Kanu MOM? He is at best Championship standard and his covering back was shocking after about 30 mins becasue he looked knackered.

Simply do not understand why Pearce does not get a game in a defence that leaks goals for fun.

[SCIAG]

Am I alone in wondering why BBC Radio Berks gave Robson- Kanu MOM? He is at best Championship standard and his covering back was shocking after about 30 mins becasue he looked knackered.

Simply do not understand why Pearce does not get a game in a defence that leaks goals for fun.

They don't award MOTM based on some perception of their "standard" or "ability", they award it based on performance.

Robson-Kanu can't defend very well, that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, he's never been able to defend well. He did absolutely destroy Evra though. Okay, Evra isn't the player he was two or three years ago, but I doubt he plays that badly every week.

[winnersh_royal]

In a wave of euphoria from a hard-fought 3 points which offers a slim glimmer of hope I really feel that the importance of Alex Pearce’s return needs to be emphasised.

I feel that Pearce’s return is a platform for the club to build on. His performance against WHam was solid and I feel that after such an extended lay-off he is really getting up to speed and he really impressed me. He didn’t put a foot wrong against the hammers and was my MOM (which is particularly impressive because centre-half is often a thankless position where only punishable mistakes are noted).

I don’t know what they have been feeding him but he looks a real beast. He was completely dominant in the air and looks like he has gained an extra yard from somewhere - always first to the ball making some vital interceptions.

He has clearly injected some confidence into the back line, barking out the orders, and has got Mariappa playing out of his skin. I think that it is becoming clear that for the most part of last season he was carrying Gorkks. Since his return we have 3 clean-sheets (not going to dignify the man city goal) – compare with with Villa’s last 15/3 defensive record against out 1/3 speaks volumes.

Pearce is obviously going to be vitally important considering our toothless front line (we won’t always get a lucky break like the hospital ball from Collison) a tight defence could be our only hope of staying up.

I also loved his passion at the final whistle and the fight he brings to the team (his tear ups with Nolan and Yaya got me up and out of my seat!).

The way he has been treated inspired me to sign up to the site and I really hope the club gets their act together and persuades him to stay because he is truly a classy player.

ALEX IF YOU ARE READING THIS... WE NEED YOU TO STAY!

[SLAMMED]

[winnersh_royal]

:|

Seems like i'm not alone in my opinions!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20871668

[SLAMMED]

And?

[DanLashbrook]

Seems like i'm not alone in my opinions!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20871668

CENTRE-BACK - ALEX PEARCE (Reading)

I've given Reading a fair bit of stick this season for failing to close out games from winning positions. They showed that with their recent last-minute defeat at Manchester City. I gave Alex Pearce a mention then for his battling qualities and sheer commitment. Once again, he put himself on the line for the cause against West Ham, only this time he and his team got their rewards. Reading need more of the same if they intend to remain among the big boys.

Did you know? Made 16 clearances on Saturday, only two players made more in the Premier League this weekend.



Finally some positive coverage... nice spot WR

[SPARTA]

Pearce wants to stay. The club wont pay the wages he's asked for, which aren't apparently that excessive, but closer to what Guthrie is on. It's hard to disagree he deserves the wage tbf. He's head and shoulders above every other defender here. The club set a precedent when they started paying big wages to the Guthrie's and Pogrebnyak's, and they'll get a lot more of this in the future or have to accept losing their best players.