Millwall captain Alex Pearce would love a knees up in FA Cup derby clash with Crystal Palace

Alex Pearce is hoping to have a right old knees up tomorrow. And if he does it means the experienced Millwall defender has hit the back of the net in a South London derby.

The 33-year-old has scored just once for the Lions in 77 matches. He put Millwall ahead in their FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton in March 2019 before Aidan O’Brien made it 2-0 with just 11 minutes of regulation time remaining.

But Albion levelled in the fifth minute of stoppage time – keeper David Martin badly misjudging Solly March’s free-kick.

Brighton won 5-4 on penalties to set up a Wembley semi-final with Manchester City.

Pearce, who had joined on loan from Derby in the transfer window, marked his big moment with a knee-pumping celebration in front of the Cold Blow Lane End.

“It was a really important game for me,” he said. “That was the game that got me into the side. It was just a great feeling.

“It is the only goal I’ve scored for Millwall, I’m a bit disappointed I haven’t scored more.

“I still get big stick for that celebration from the lads, in terms of my high knees. I’ve done it for all my goals. I first did it years ago and it felt right. I got quite good feedback from friends and family – they enjoyed it and I enjoyed doing it. So it’s just stuck. It’s a good bit of fun.

“To get another opportunity to do that would be fantastic. It’s a similar type of game and a similar type of opposition.

“There were a lot of positives to take from that day – the fact we ran a Premier League club so close. We deserved to win the game but an individual mistake cost us. We all performed really well.”

Pearce is one of the older heads in Millwall’s squad but that does not lessen his anticipation for tomorrow’s lunchtime clash with Crystal Palace.

“I think I’ve played in three Derby-Forest matches but also the one people might not know is that I played for Norwich against Ipswich,” he said. “That was particularly intense.

“I’d put that right up there, but probably because I was so young at the time. I probably didn’t feel it as much for Derby-Forest because I was older. We didn’t have a derby when I was at Reading because Swindon and Oxford were not in the same leagues.”

Millwall have not played Palace since 2013. The last all-South London affairs were Championship matches against Charlton.

Matt Smith headed a 90th-minute winner in front of a crowd of 17,109 in November 2019. Covid-19 had forced fixtures behind closed doors when Jake Cooper scored in a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture in July 2020.

“I remember feeling the atmosphere when Matt scored late on,” said Pearce. “When you play for Millwall you know the main game is West Ham or Crystal Palace. Unfortunately we haven’t come across those two teams since I’ve been at the club.

“I try and use the expression ‘play the game, not the occasion’. But sometimes players can let it get the better of them. But also certain  players thrive off that. They thrive off the energy of the crowd and the intensity of the occasion.

“We all saw how important fans were when Covid struck and we had to play behind closed doors. No player really enjoyed that, so it makes it all the more special when a match like this comes around because we’ve been through that process.

“A game like Saturday, where we’ve thankfully got fans in the ground, will make us all the more grateful for it, When we, as players, walk out and hear that roar it is going to be outstanding.”

Palace were quarter-finalists in the 2018-19 season but have exited at the first hurdle in the FA Cup in three of the last four seasons.

The fact the Eagles are comfortably clear of the relegation places means that progression in the  tournament should not distract from their Premier

League campaign. Palace reached the FA Cup final in 2016, losing in extra-time to Manchester United.

“There is no doubt about it – we’re the underdogs,” said Pearce. “They are a Premier League side, all the pressure is on them.

“But we have got certain standards in our dressing room that we want to adhere to. We will want to give a good account of ourselves.

“We know what Palace do and how strong they are – they have got great players and a great manager. But we can only focus on ourselves. We want to go out there and cause an upset and be in the hat for the next round. That would give everyone a massive lift.”

Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate are due to miss the fixture as they have been called up for Africa Cup of Nations duty for Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal respectively.

“A club like Crystal Palace doesn’t just have those players – they have ones who can step in and hurt you,” said Pearce.

“We’re still going to have to play well and be on our game 100 per cent. It’s probably a nice bit of news  [they are not involved] but it doesn’t last long.

“You know someone potentially just as good can step in and do the same amount of damage, if you allow them.”