Pearson enjoying his best form since joining the Rams
STEPHEN Pearson says this is the best he has felt in a Derby County shirt since signing from Celtic three years ago.
The midfielder's career with the Rams had been interrupted by injuries before this season.
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Now the 27-year-old is enjoying a sequence of 21 consecutive starts – his best run in the side – and he has missed just six of the 39 league and cup fixtures.
Thirty three games is his best season for appearances since 2003-4 when he made 47 in all competitions for Motherwell and Celtic.
"It's been stop-start since I signed," said Pearson (pictured).
"I've played five or six and then missed a couple, so to play 20-odd games is good and I'm feeling stronger fitness-wise. I think it's as good as I've felt for Derby.
"I'm feeling injury-free, which is good, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.
"I have been unfortunate with injuries but hopefully I've put that behind me now.
"I'm training every day and playing games every week.
"I'm keeping myself fit and keeping myself in the best shape possible.
"I feel better in myself and physically stronger for getting a run of games.
"Hopefully, I'll stay fit to the end of the season."
Pearson was overlooked when new Scotland manager Craig Levein named his first squad for last week's friendly victory over the Czech Republic.
Almost two and a half years have past since Pearson won the last of his 10 caps for his country but he says his focus is on playing well for Derby.
"I wasn't really disappointed. I take it as it comes – if it comes, great, if it doesn't, I'll try to keep doing well for Derby," he said.
"If I'm not playing well for Derby, I won't get any recognition.
"First of all, it is about staying fit and playing well for Derby.
"Whatever else happens is a bonus."
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by GAZ, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:57PM
“MB, sorry to correct you but they will have a stadium 3 quarters full of freeloaders IF they scrape promotion. They are going to need Atwell a few times again between now and the end of the season though by the looks of things.”
by Ron Jeremy, Derbys
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:50PM
“Why are Forest fans so obssessed with our large attendances and amount of tickets that are given away through incentivised offers? Its pretty obvious your all jealous as you have to make do with a nintendo wii when you get your new phone! If and its now a massive IF with your current pathetic away form you win the league, dont you all get free season tickets from Victor Chandler? Will that shut you up and dry your eyes a little??! Get over the fact that we have more fans than you and we dont care about you having 2 teams in your city!”
by MB, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:49PM
“You'll also notice the deathly silence regarding Victor Chandler when Forest fans brag about paying for their tickets and the increased number of supporters....whereby anybody buying a season ticket this season gets it FREE next season...that's right FREE season rickets for ALL Season Ticket holders next year - kettle/black, glasshouse/stones etc etc.
Oh the shame - a stadium full of freeloaders, not just on the system, but of season tickets too...how embarassing.”
by MB, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:35PM
“No Gaz, it clearly say he supports Forest - he says heva Tin Pot Supporter from a Tin Pot club.”
by MB, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:27PM
“So there you go - they are sponsor putting money into the club. Thank goodness we've put the 'free' ticket debate to bed now with your admission that money is changing hands.
Oh and that 'insult' might carry more weight if there was even a chance they were the only company associated with Derby...but we've got a few that maybe you've heard of - Adidas, Toyota, Bombardier,Marstons,University,Greenbank,Eon,Texaco...the phone company sponsor the trainingwear I believe.
And then we have Forest - gamble by sponsor, gamble by nature”
by GAZ, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:22PM
“Yeah he is right. Bombardier are a real small outfit as are Toyota.
This guy gets more and more stupid with every post he makes!
Notice he is too ashamed to admit who he supports.”
by tin pot club, tin pot sponsors
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:12PM
“mb so you are saying the only sponsors direby can attract are small time companies?
smae for hornby the model train maker as your shirt sponsor, tip pot sponsors for a tin pot club”
by MB, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 2:52PM
“Yes it COULD be thousands getting the season tickets through buying a phone...but it might not be. put it this way, I woukdnt sign up to a small-time phone company when the big ones give you far more security an piece of mind...would thousands.
Also I was referring to match day tickets not season tickets...besides, the early bird offer keeps prices the same as now for the next month...they aren't cheaper.
Besides it's a stupid argument...your digging a club for treating it's fans and community well - bizzare. What's next? praising Forest for taking taxpayers money to keep the ground open, Pompey for highlighting the pitfalls of football, perhaps we should campaign against a few charities to...all they seem to do os give, give, give.
I'd worry about your own cov because, if you are a Forest fan, you must be barmy to think you are the only club on the whole of The Championship with no debt...staying afloat is far more important than any free,
discounted tickets, it's more important than just buying willy-nilly as if players were disposable. Derby are currently on track...it's not very sexy but the aim was to survive and reduce the debt significantly...so far so good”
by GAZ, Derby
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 2:43PM
“Huge reductions? No, we pay the same price as last year if we renew early otherwise face a huge increase.
I don't have the facts but reckon it is in the 1000s...great argument put forward there!
Well i assume the number of season ticket holders shut up by thousands last year then?
Why try and debate something which you can not back up with figures? Did not realise people had to prove you wrong!
Your argument is boring and has been covered for months and months, the sensible football fans on here have pretty much agreed what the real situation is but idiots like you who can't debate football just won't leave it alone!”
by Give it rest Gaz!, ... Go and have a cup of tea!
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 2:17PM
“"The early bird offer is only open to people renewing season tickets".
You've got it son! That's the majority of the season ticket holders. Getting huge reductions if they renew.
You're right! I haven't got the stats for how many get a mobile + FREE season ticket. I reckon it's in the 1000's unless someone can prove otherwise.
Not to mention free kiddie's ST's or other match day free tickets.”