jollyjiminy Reading's problem is not Pearce's fault. People are most likely turning on him cos he's been playing, so he's a more obvious target than anyone else. People are turning on Fedders too, probably for the same reason. There will always be some mistakes at the back in any team.... and the amount we've been having are so few that we should never really have noticed. We've conceded 12 goals - Sheff United and Middleborough have each conceded 11. The problem is, we haven't been scoring any goals. We've scored two at home in 5 games. It puts a stupid amount of pressure on Pearce and turns him from hero to zero through no fault of his own. I think Ivar is a better player, but we've been very well covered by a young home grown player who needs the fans' support.
Its not Pearce's job to get us in a position where we can make chances and hit the target - that's management's job to create strategies to break through defencies and aquire players who can do it, and for attacking players to deliver.
Boro conceeded 5 in one game though, take that away and they've conceeded 6 in 8 games. slightly different picture.
I like Pearce, but I've never been convinced he'll be a top Champ defender. He's looked very good in a couple of games I've seen. The one he was rather less impressive the midfield had gone a bit AWOL and Peterborough were able to rampage unopposed down the flanks.
Not sure he's a player for the side whilst we're in such a state though. Especially when we have the experience of Ivar and teh quality of O'Dea available. He'll eventualy be a force in a partnership with Mills though. I think that's one for the future.
