Matty Pearson: The No-Nonsense Throwback Centre Back
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
The 27-year-old centre back becomes Huddersfield Town’s first signing of the summer, but is this the start of a great recruitment drive? We speak to Kevin from The Luton Town Supporters' Trust to find out more.
When a team concedes 71 goals in a season, an average of 1.54 goals per game, it’s clear that they need to improve their defence. In hindsight, it’s no surprise that Huddersfield Town’s first signing of the summer is a defender. Matty Pearson, who joined from Luton Town, arrives at the John Smith’s Stadium with a reputation as a no-nonsense defender. Having signed a three-year deal, with the club having the option to extend it by a further year, this looks like a signing for the starting XI.
The 27-year-old, who played 40 league matches for The Hatters in the 20/21 campaign, can play in a number of positions such as full-back and midfield but is seen as the centre back to help fix a team with the worst defence in the division last season.
Pearson started his career at Blackburn Rovers, having joined the club aged 10 but didn’t make a single appearance for the side. Following his release, he joined League Two side Rochdale before playing for Halifax Town, Accrington Stanley, Barnsley and Luton Town. Having played football from the sixth tier to the Championship, the defender is accustomed to playing for teams who have to be defensively resolute, with most of his former sides battling for survival in their respective divisions.
With the move finalised, we look at what the club and player have said about the transfer and caught up with Kevin Harper from The Luton Town Supporters' Trust to find out how Pearson has been performing at The Hatters and what type of player we can expect.
Photo source: HTAFC
What the club said
With over 350 league appearances, it seems like Huddersfield have added an experienced player who’s not past his prime, like with previous defensive signings. In the announcement on the club’s website, manager Carlos Corberán said:
“Matty has good experience in the Championship and has played many minutes over the last two seasons, which shows he’s robust and able to deal with high physical demands.
“He’s a big presence, good in the air, strong in the tackle, and what really stands out is his competitive character. He gives us extra versatility in defence as he can play as a right centre-back in a three or just with the left centre-back in a back four. We look forward to working with him.”
Corberán likes a player with versatility and as fans saw throughout the season, formation changes happen regularly for Huddersfield Town, either by match or in-game, so having another defender comfortable to adapt to different systems is a plus.
Photo source: HTAFC
What the player said
Being born and raised in Keighley, Pearson seems delighted to be returning to West Yorkshire. Speaking in his first interview on Huddersfield’s official YouTube channel. He said:
“Huddersfield Town is a massive club, so to be here and get it done early is a great feeling. Being from West Yorkshire too, it makes this move sweeter being at a West Yorkshire club.
“This is something that was always going to happen to me because I want to be in West Yorkshire; that’s not why I made the move, though. I think Huddersfield Town is a fantastic club, a big club, and I’ve got something to offer here.
“Rule number one is to defend and secondary is playing out. I’m here to defend and stop goals going in; that’s my main job and what defenders are for.”
When you finish the season on a minus 21 goal difference, hearing a new signing talking about a simplified approach to defending is something Huddersfield fans are crying out for. Whether the addition of Pearson alone means Town become a tougher defensive unit to break down, we’ll wait and see.
Photo source: HTAFC
Fan report
After three seasons with Luton Town, Kevin Harper from The Luton Town Supporters' Trust feels that Huddersfield are getting ‘a decent defender who is excellent in the air.’ So, can he rise to the challenge of improving Huddersfield’s defence? Here’s what Kevin had to say.
What type of player are Huddersfield Town getting in Matty Pearson and what do you make of the move?
You're getting a decent defender who is excellent in the air and will throw himself in front of everything but is very limited and uncomfortable with the ball at his feet. I don't have a massive issue with the move. He wasn't Luton’s first choice when everyone was fit in the middle of the season so maybe the writing was on the wall that early.
How would you describe his playing style?
He's a no-nonsense throwback centre-back. He can fill in at right-back too.
You mentioned he’s not the best with the ball at his feet, what would you say his strengths and weaknesses are?
He's very good in the air in both boxes. Not good in possession and sometimes gets caught out of position, especially against pacey forwards.
What have been his highlights at Luton?
He was part of our League One winning squad and then played a massive part in keeping us in the Championship two seasons ago. He'll be remembered for always giving 100% to the cause.
How would you sum up his time at Luton?
He was very good for us. He was just what we needed in League One but as we look to build further under Nathan Jones I suspect we are looking for defenders who are more comfortable in possession.
What has the fan reaction to his departure been like? Can you tell us more about his relationship with the fans?
He had a very good relationship with the fans. Luton fans love players who give 100% to the cause and at no stage did he ever do anything but that. I think most fans are fine with the move. We have two centre backs ahead of him in the pecking order and a couple of youngsters who will emerge next season or the one after. We wish him well. Apart from the two games against Huddersfield next season obviously!
Do you think he can make an immediate impact with Huddersfield?
I don't see why not although I'd be surprised if he fits in the long term unless his distribution improves.
Based on what you’ve seen from him at Luton, how much potential does he have for the rest of his career?
I'm not sure that there is a great deal of improvement in him. We've had him for three years and he is what he is. A very good throwback defender.
Is there anything we should know about Matty Pearson that we don’t already?
Maybe just that he can play at right-back and has played defensive midfield in the lower leagues.
Photo source: HTAFC
Summary
We saw during the latter stages of last season when results were hard to come by, that Carlos switched to a more defensive system than his preferred 4-3-3. While it brought draws against Birmingham and Cardiff, it did nullify Town’s little attacking threat. The addition of Pearson, who cites his main job to stop goals going in and then play out from the back second, might suggest this is another compromise to the manager’s way of playing.
Sticking to Corberán’s preferred methods of playing exciting, attacking football but with better defensive players around your ball-carrying centre backs might be the way to do it. After all, Pearson might not be the best defender with the ball at his feet but when Huddersfield had Ryan Schofield and Naby Sarr both make two errors each which lead to a goal last season, sometimes you need a defender to clear the danger rather than try and play their way out of trouble.
With Stearman and Schindler released by the club, you’d assume that Pearson looks set to partner Naby Sarr next season as the first-choice centre back pairing, with Edmonds-Green pushing both for a place in the side. Time will tell whether Pearson is a good signing for the club, but having a defender who is seen as no-nonsense has to be an upgrade on the nonsensical defending by Huddersfield last season.
How do you think Matty Pearson will do at Town? Let us know in the comments.
