The City boss wielded the axe, making 5 changes to the starting line-up that lost dismally against Liverpool last week, and boy did it have the desired effect.
City ran out 5-2 winners at the Valley - and that against a side managed by Alan Curbishley, a man many believe could be the next England manager.
"I made 5 changes today and obviously when you do that you worry about upsetting the balance of the side," Pearce told Sky Sports.
"We've not won a match for 3 games before today and I think, character-wise, it was a big game for us as a football club and a group of players. We delivered on all fronts really.
"They showed great character to want to carve out a victory and played some very good football. Plus Claudio Reyna's not played for 6 weeks, Trevor Sinclair the same, David Sommeil's been out with a fractured cheekbone for the same length of time, and Ben Thatcher's also come back from having a bit of time out.
"So I think all round I was pleased with the way we played, pleased with the way we scrapped away and our honesty and endeavour."
Pearce was forced to leave out Danny Mills after he was diagnosed with a leg injury, but dropped Stephen Ireland and Lee Croft to the bench, while Stephen Jordan was not in the squad and Kiki Musampa didn't even travel.
Coming in were full-backs Sommeil and Thatcher, and midfielders Reyna, Sinclair and Sun Jihai.
"I didn't check their passports beforehand but I was aware that it wasn't a gamble changing 5 players, we're talking seasoned internationals here so I felt it was the right thing to do," added Pearce.
"I just thought it was the right time to drop [the young lads] out, let them have a breather and look at the senior players having a bash today."