Pearce aims to extends Reading's reign at Turf Moor
James Walker-Roberts • Published 14 Oct 2011 09:00
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ALEX Pearce hopes history will repeat itself when Reading travel to Turf Moor this Saturday.
Burnley's home ground was the scene of Royals' heaviest Championship win last season as they romped to a 4-0 victory in late October.
Pearce, 22, watched from the bench as Shane Long, Jobi McAnuff, Michail Antonio and Simon Church all the found the net to end a three-game losing run.
And, while the centre-back is expected to be on the other side of the white line on this occasion, he wants his side to blow Burnley away for the second year running.
"We dominated them from start to finish," he said of the last meeting at Turf Moor. "We were solid at the back and blitzed them going forward so hopefully we can do the same thing on Saturday."
"I believe that before that game we were on a little bit of a downer, but that result brought everyone's spirits back up. It made everyone realise that without doubt we could achieve something in this league.
"We certainly left our mark on Burnley and they will remember last year so I'm sure they'll want to put one over on us this time around."
The two teams go into the match locked on 12 points in the bottom half of the table and with unbeaten runs to protect - Burnley's stretching back three matches and Reading's going back four.
Pearce added: "We're unbeaten in four games and we've kept two clean sheets in that period so it's a little bit of a platform for us to build on.
"It's a mini run and we can only take positives from that, strive to become better as a team and keep working hard, which has been our philosophy over the last four games.
"We must work harder than the opposition and if that happens you generally pick up points."
Royals are expected to welcome Jimmy Kebe back to the squad after he recovered from an injury that has kept him out for nearly a month.
The winger is unlikely to be thrown straight back into the starting line-up at Turf Moor as a fully rested Royals side look to pick up their third away win of the season.
"We've got three games in a week coming up so when a break comes you take it," said Pearce.
"The games were coming thick and fast before the international break and most of us were pleased with the rest. We've had some good sessions in training and hopefully that will show on Saturday."
Following their meeting with Burnley, Royals return home on Tuesday evening for a clash against high-flying Derby County (8pm ko).
They then welcome league leaders Southampton to the Madejski Stadium on October 22.
"There are no easy games in the Championship," added Pearce. "If we keep it tight at the back we know we will score goals."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 13 Oct 11
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