Millwall skipper Alex Pearce on what he and Shaun Williams learned from their two games in the dugout
BY ALEX GRACE
Alex Pearce said he and Shaun Williams have enjoyed their period leading the team.
Gary Rowett tested positive for COVID-19 on October 23 before the club announced further positive tests earlier this week leading to the rest of the first team coaching staff self-isolating.
Pearce and Williams took charge of Wednesday’s win at Preston and were in the dugout for today’s defeat against Huddersfield.
Gary Rowett returns to work on Monday as his isolation period ends and will take charge of the side on Tuesday at Norwich.
Pearce said: “It’s been very interesting. Me and Willo have enjoyed it.
“We didn’t enjoy losing today. We loved the other night, but I guess that’s management.
“We’ve had great help from Kevin Nugent (Under 23’s manager) and the manager. He’s guided us through it really – the whole thing: the build-up to games. He’s kept us all calm; he’s given us all the information that we need to relay to the players and he’s made it as easy as possible really via zoom. We will be pleased to have him back and look to bounce back, that’s for sure.”
The former Republic of Ireland player was asked if management is the next step for him.
Pearce said; “Who knows – I’m only 31. Willo as well – we’ve both got some more playing time in our legs, so we will just take each day at a time. Don’t look to far ahead.
“We were asked to step in and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve tried our hardest, done our best but we will now go back to being available to play on Tuesday.”
Pearce also spoke of how much he and Williams have learnt during this period and what has been the major lessons for them.
“It’s been in the preparation of games that has been the big eye opener – the level of detail that goes into being a coach,” he said. “I’ve never done it before so that was probably the biggest eye opener for me – the detail that goes into everything.
“It’s too long to go into detail to be honest with you. When the games come around, you get excited and hope that the team give a good account of themselves.
“I’ve enjoyed it on the whole. I didn’t enjoy losing today. I loved it on Wednesday, but I guess that’s management. It’s one that we will take great experience for me and Willio and it’s one that we will take forward.”
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