Hammers fans appear to have serious doubts about the imminent arrival of the 32-year-old, but Pearce says Barton will be confident of winning them over and becoming a key player for the club.
The former England defender managed Barton during his time as Manchester City boss and he told the Colin Murray show: "Joey will not be going to West Ham thinking he is a bit-part player.
“I remember he came back from his first England get-together telling me what poor players Gerrard and Lampard were!
“He has been unshakeable in his determination to be a footballer. I watched him in the reserves for Manchester City and thought this kid is never going to be a footballer, he is a non-league player.
“But he carved out a career with his unshakeable mentality and arrogance and belief in himself and he won’t be going to West Ham thinking he will play here and there. He will think he is the best player in the squad.”
Given Barton’s penchant for courting controversy throughout his career, it’s not surprising that West Ham fans appear unwilling to welcome him with open arms.
But Pearce insists the England international is no longer the troublesome character he was, and believes he could prove to be an astute signing by Bilic.
He added: “He struggled to handle his temper in his younger days. The older you get, the more mature you get, and you go through that cycle and hopefully grow up, and I think he has.
“He has got a wealth of experience. I’m not a trawler on social media but I don’t see and hear as much from Joey as I did three or four years ago. I’ve not read about him in the papers having the odd problem and whatever.
“He is a free agent with a wealth of experience, physically fit, and a good professional who stays out on the training pitch longer than anyone else.
“He has played a lot of matches, he has got an England cap - I can see why West Ham have dipped in for him.”
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