Alex Pearce reveals his approach when he wasn’t featuring at Millwall – and says win at Derby County gave him no extra satisfaction

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Alex Pearce has had to bide his time for a chance at Millwall under Gary Rowett – just like he did when the pair were at Derby County.

The experienced centre-back, 31, earned praise from the Lions manager for his attitude and professionalism after Saturday’s 1-0 win at Pride Park.

But club captain Pearce, who has started five of the last six matches, reckons his approach is exactly how every player should do things.

“My opinion on this is always the same,” he said. “Your job as a footballer is to keep yourself in the best condition possible and your job – when you are picked – is to give the best account of yourself.

“It’s vital you have that attitude. As players you are not in charge of picking the team – that’s the manager’s job. But as players, you have a duty, a role, that you need to be ready when you are.

“If I’m not in the team I’ll do the best I can so that when I get in the team I’m ready to take my opportunity.

“That was the case at Derby, under the gaffer.

“Every player wants to play football. So to be playing now, getting regular game time, is a massive positive for myself.”

Pearce was animated at the final whistle last weekend – marching towards the travelling support and pumping his fists in delight.

But he rejects any idea there was extra satisfaction after being surplus to requirements at the Rams.

He initially joined Millwall on loan last January and then signed a permanent deal early in the summer.

“I’m like that after most wins – I really enjoy them,” said Pearce. “You saw that in the celebrations from the whole team, not just from myself.

“It’s such a big three points, going to Pride Park. When you come through the game like we did – having to dig in at times, nothing is better than a 1-0 win.

“I was really pleased for the whole group and Bradders [Tom Bradshaw] to get the goal.

“It was no more satisfying than any other win. It was a massive three points – but they all are in this league. Swansea was a massive three points and so was Bristol City.

“There wasn’t any added thing for me. I spent four years there and had a good time. It was a good club. They’ll be disappointed where they are in the league right now but I’m sure they can get themselves going.

“For me it was about going and doing a job for Millwall and coming out with the result.”

Millwall are fifth in a form guide for the last six matches with 12 points, the same as Brentford. Only Blackburn, Leeds and West Brom (all 16) have taken more.

Next up comes bottom club Barnsley at The Den. But the Lions recently drew 2-2 with 23rd-placed Wigan in SE16.

“No game in this league is easy,” said Pearce. “If anyone turns up on Saturday and thinks ‘Millwall are going to beat Barnsley’ it doesn’t work that way. We are going to have to scrap, earn and fight for every ball and point we get this season.

“We’ve taken a lot of points off the top teams. You could argue against lower teams we have struggled. There is your big warning sign right there.

“We’ve got to play like underdogs and earn the right. If we do that we’ve got a chance of getting the result.”