Antonio Pierce told of how he felt his Las Vegas Raiders side were “disrespected” as he picked up his first win as permanent head coach of the team on Sunday.

Pierce’s Raiders picked up what many pundits viewed as a surprise 26-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens at the weekend and the coach, who has Bermudian parentage, feels his side were spurred to victory by some dismissive quotes.

“It’s big to win when we were ten-point underdogs and disrespected in the National Football League.” Pierce said in his press conference after the game.

“I’ve been in the game a long time and not too many teams get picked to lose by ten points, so our guys took it personal and that was good.

“I told these guys last night and throughout the week that for us to beat the best team in football last year and still one of the best teams in football this year and the best football player in the game, Lamar Jackson, we need all three units to play at their best.”

Pierce was named interim coach last season but is making his mark on the team and was thrilled to see the team spirit after his side kicked the winning field goal.

“What I love to see with our team is when we kicked the winning field goal all our guys are out there celebrating,” Pierce said.

“What I like to see is when I turn around and I look to the sideline and I don’t see nobody as they are all on the field. I’m glad the officials haven’t done anything to us but it’s a joy to watch each other celebrate and make big plays.”

The Raiders trailed 9-6 at half time against the Ravens and Pierce revealed some of what he said to inspire his team to victiry after a difficult first half.

“Early on we can blame a lot of people but we had some breakdowns is protection and that’s not good enough,” Pierce said.

“But once we figured that out and the communication got better and guys were gelling, they did a hell of a job in the second half.

“It was a dogfight in the first half. Wasn’t pretty going in at half time 9-6. I told the guys at half time that they needed to bring some more juice, and we did, but it didn’t translate on the field right away in the third quarter.”

Pierce is not getting carried away with the win but is looking forward to two home games, the first against the struggling Carolina Panthers on Sunday, after splitting the first two road games 1-1

“Congratulations to our offence and our team but we have still got work to do,” Pierce said.

“There's a lot of meat on the bone and I'll be honest we've got to run the ball better, but winning’s big.

“Our crowd has travelled outstanding the last two weeks in LA and then here in Baltimore, late in the game they showed up, but it’s time for us to put on a show back in Vegas at home. Raider Nation, we’re coming and looking forward to you.”