The Blues drew both their matches, losing the first on a penalty shoot-out before winning the second, but the boss has seen plenty to impress him in terms of the squad’s performances over the course of the Asia Trophy games.
Off the field, it has been a difficult week with the departure of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joey Barton’s early return to the UK after an incident at the team’s Bangkok hotel.
Pearce, however, is pleased at how events unfolded on the pitch and that virtually all of his squad got some valuable practice against Premiership opposition.
“It has been a very positive week in spite of the one incident, I’ve given established players the chance to get some game minutes under their belts.”
Speaking after the Everton game, the manager singled out several players who, for one reason or another, he felt needed to some meaningful time out on the pitch.
“Ben Thatcher and Trevor Sinclair both performed really well, and also it’s given the opportunity for some of the younger players to play on the biggest stage so far in their careers.
“Micah Richards also played really well, he played in two different positions and showed his versatility.”
An added bonus was the goal-scoring debut of Andrew Cole on Saturday. There have been questions raised in some quarters regarding the striker’s previous clubs and his age, but Pearce has heard it all before and feels vindicated by Cole’s display against Everton.
“The same questions were asked about me when I joined the club. I was 39 years of age, people questioned what I had to offer. In two or three years time, when Andrew leaves the club, he will show what he’s worth.”
