Anyone who has watched Leeds over recent months - and certainly anyone who witnessed the display during Monday's 2-0 defeat by promotion-rivals Millwall - will testify to a team bereft of confidence.
Pearson is a graduate of Oldham's youth set-up but only made one first-team appearance for the Boundary Park club, as substitute against Millwall in February 2007.
Meanwhile, Luton Town, which became the first non-league side to ever beat a Premier League team following the 1-0 win at Norwich on Saturday, will play first-tier Millwall in the next round.