There are not too many better feelings than winning away from home, keeping a clean sheet, and putting in a performance to match. The win at Bristol Rovers proved to be an important one as all of the top 8 who played picked up points and those around us also won. The players are working hard, and it looks as though we may have just turned a corner, or at least indicating to! As we all know, games now are going to come thick and fast, playing Saturday-Tuesday until the end of the month so we are going to come up against a variety of tests, and this Tuesday is one of the biggest of the season, away at Peterborough United.
OppositionManager: Darren Ferguson (49.4% win rate)Stadium: Weston Homes StadiumLeague Position: 5th | Last 6: WDWDLLNickname(s): The PoshPeterborough played Milton Keynes at home on Saturday, winning 3-0, their last line-up was:
Pym
Kent | Mason | Beevers
Ward | Hamilton | Taylor | Butler
Dembélé | Szmodics
Clarke-Harris
Sometimes a manager suits a certain club. Their style of play, philosophy, and culture they aim to create fits like a glove. It could be said that Darren Ferguson and Peterborough United are an example of just that. Having been a manager for only 13 years, this is his third spell in charge, the previous two have resulted in promotions from League Two and League One (twice), the question remains whether they'll be able to repeat that feat again this time round. Incredibly, across the time he has been in charge, they've scored over 500 goals, even last season when it was curtailed after 35 matches they averaged just shy of 2 per game.
When you're talking of goals and Peterborough United, it's only fair to talk about Jonson Clarke-Harris this season. The striker, who signed from Bristol Rovers in the summer, has already got 13 in 20. The same total as what he got in the league in the whole of last season for The Gas. The left footed forward is strong, mobile, good in the air, and can score all different types of goals. Keeping him quiet is going to be a huge challenge for a defence that has only just kept its first clean sheet in 9. But you'd be foolish to think it's just the former Charlton transfer target that we need to keep an eye on...
Dembélé and Szmodics - who play just behind the front man, Dembélé sometimes alongside him - are very good players at this level. The former has 5 goals and 6 assists so far, keeping another old Charlton transfer target, Mo Eisa, out of the team. Dembélé has a diminutive figure, but is very quick and skilful. The Ivorian's contract is up in the summer, and with interest from higher up the pyramid, The Posh may have a fight on their hands to keep the young talent. The latter, Sammie Szmodics, signed from Bristol City in the summer after impressing on loan last season. In a deal worth in excess of £1million, his goal contribution this season has not been great with only 3 goals and 2 assists - 2 of those goals coming at the weekend against Milton Keynes. However, the attacking midfielder has real class and vision to create chances; splitting defences wide open with his passing. Szmodics will often try to find the space between the oppositions midfield and defence, so limiting that space and being compact is something I am sure Bowyer will be looking to do.
Form wise, since the return of the last international break, The Posh have been very hit and miss. Where we've played 12, won 3, drawn 5, and lost 4 - Peterborough have played 8, won 3, drawn 2, and lost 3. They've also had an extended break due to positive coronavirus cases at the club; meaning they had from 16th December to 9th January without a game. Refreshed? You'd think so. That break would not only have helped Ferguson work on specific things they haven't managed to do before, but allow any injured players extra time to recover. It's had its pros and cons, but we will only really know the full effect of it come the end of the season when clubs like Peterborough have even more games to cram into an already packed season!
Charlton Team NewsPreviously I mentioned that players should stop with what seemed to be a game of 'tag, you're it' with picking up injuries and taking turns to sit on the treatment table. This time, I ask that they now give it a break with who is to be sent off! Charlton are bottom of the fair play table, by a long way... With 5 players sent off already this season and numerous players picking up multiple bookings, if it's not injuries that are hurting us, it's suspensions. Unfortunately, young Albie Morgan, who has been very impressive over the last game and a half, is the latest culprit - but he'll learn from it. The other disappointing thing is Morgan has now lost his place in the team, and with Pratley returning from his own suspension and Shinnie returning to the squad after injury, he'll have a job on his hands to regain that place.
Rejoining Pratley and Shinnie in the squad is Pearce and Famewo. Thankfully, the two centre backs returning will mean more options and more headaches for Bowyer to decide who partners who in central defence and central midfield. Marcus Maddison is doubtful against his former club due to only rejoining training today after a minor ankle injury. Ben Watson is only just behind with a hamstring injury, whilst Ryan Inniss is about 3 weeks away from a return.
In further positive news, the performances of Oshilaja and Forster-Caskey would've delighted Bowyer. Recently stating his disappointment in some players failing to grab their opportunity when it has come, that cannot be said for the man of the match and match winner on Saturday. They're two players who are guaranteed to start on Tuesday, and rightly so. Additionally, Bowyer singled out praise for Williams and Millar, so you would assume he'll start both again as well. More selection headaches for the gaffer would be does he start Aneke for the third game running, and does Schwartz get his first start for the club? Who partners Forster-Caskey in midfield? Is it Pratley to help be compact, limit the space, add a bit of height, and push Forster-Caskey further forward? Or will it be Shinnie to come straight in and replace Morgan, considering they're more similar type players? Who partners Oshilaja in defence? Club captain, Jason Pearce, is likely to be that player if not for his fitness in comparison to Famewo, but for his leadership qualities in what is going to be a very tough away game. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see Famewo start, because I would, these previews and predictions are always what I believe Bowyer is likely to do.
Subs: Maynard-Brewer, Matthews, Famewo, Shinnie, Smyth, Washington, Bogle
Back to winnings ways is always a good feeling. The test now is can we follow it up away at a promotion rival, who on their day, can score a lot of goals themselves. Normally, I would predict a high scoring game for this as it's two teams who create a good number of chances, with players at the top end of the pitch who can hurt you. However, I think it has the potential to be a cagey affair. A positive result sets us up nicely going into a home game against Swindon on Saturday. I think we'll get one.
Peterborough United 1-1 Charlton Athletic
Schwartz
Comments
It's not a bad game for Pratley if the pitch is as bad as people are saying. Some physical presence will be welcome.
I really hope LB sticks with the 442 and doesn't decide to change it up again. We look comfortable with it and we're finally getting back into form.
Then, if we can win it, bring on a second striker second hslf.
I would prefer to see Famewo in defence alongside Oshilaja.
The mobility of those two would handle their front 3 better, but with Famewo being injured and it would be the first game back, it's just not what I see Bowyer going for.
I think Bowyer still trusts Pearce to get it right, especially if he is to go up against Clarke-Harris in a physical battle. Although, I don't like Pearce's physical battles as he is too hands on and gets drawn into areas he is not comfortable in.
It's a tough one but I think the call will be Pearce on Tuesday and Famewo from then on once he's had a few more days training into him.
Amos
0-2 the corner continues to turn.
Edit: i fancy us to get at least a draw and then to beat Swindon on Saturday. The promotion run has started.
You never know though.
Won 7 drew 1 lost 1.
Anything could happen.
The key for me in this game, is first goal. If Peterboro get it, I can't see us coming back. However, their defence isn't their strength and if we get the first, I think the game could play into our hands.
We need a professional performance and one to show all that we are in that top 6 to stay. I definitely think the midfield/attack you have chosen there Sage is the one we will see and it is exciting!
Be very surprised if he started again straight away seeing he's been absent for even longer this time round
And when we drop deep we invite opponents to camp just outside our box, within shooting range - plus our midfield is also drawn too deep and our forward players become isolated and out of the game. Result: no outlet, our defence under constant pressure until it eventually succumbs.
Pearce has been good for us and a great person to have around the place. Good for the young players and always gives his all.
Unfortunately though, if we are to be serious and be ambitious, whatever league we are in next season, he can’t get a new contract in the summer.
Have huge respect and admiration for him, and wish him all the best, but if we get promoted, and that’s a big if, he’s not good enough for that level. If we don’t win promotion, he’s still too slow and not naturally comfortable on the ball, even for us at this level. That creates unnecessary pressure and means we don’t have the same ability to win the ball higher up the pitch or defensively get dragged around the place. He’s a League One player but not one who by playing regularly will get you promotion anymore. A few years ago, sure. Now, not really the same case.
He's looked totally off the pace in the games he has played this year. Maybe his last injury had just been one too many to come back from. If Famewo is totally fit, he should start on Tuesday.