Bournemouth captain Pearce relishes underdog tag

Pearce joined Bournemouth from Pompey in August 2007

Captain Jason Pearce claims Bournemouth will relish their underdog status when they face Huddersfield Town in the League One play-off semi-final.

The Cherries, who finished 16 points behind Huddersfield, host the first leg at Dean Court on Saturday.

"It's always nice to be the underdog, people want the underdog to win," Pearce, 23, told BBC Radio Solent.

"It means we have got nothing to lose and can just go out there and play our football, hopefully."

Pearce continued: "We've achieved so much this year and I think we proved a lot of people wrong.

"Obviously there's pressure on Huddersfield. They've got some real experienced players and they've been there last year and didn't go up so they will have the right attitude and will know what to do.

"But we are a young squad who are hungry for success so it will be a really exciting game."

Pearce joined Cherries in 2007 from then Premier League side Portsmouth, but he never made a competitive first-team appearance for the Blues.

However, the defender admits his success at Bournemouth, including winning League Two promotion last season, justifies his decision to leave Fratton Park.

"I made a decision to drop down a couple of leagues as I wasn't getting a chance in the team at the time and I wanted to try and work my way up," he said.

"I have have achieved a lot at a young age and I'm really focussed and hungry and want to play in the Championship, that's what I strive for."