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Carling Cup: Brave effort by Posh

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Published Date: 28 October 2009
Alan Swann
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson blamed the end of the Carling Cup on a dreadful decision on Tuesday night.
Ferguson was not particularly critical of referee Anthony Taylor's decision to dismiss goalkeeper Joe Lewis late in the first half of a 5-2 fourth round defeat at Premier League club Blackburn after he had conceded a penalty.

The subject of his anger was club captain Russell Martin for a feeble back-header which was seized on by Rovers winger Morten Gamst Pedersen, who hit the deck after contact with Lewis.

Rovers converted the spot-kick to go into a 2-1 lead and duly made the most of their numerical advantage despite 10-man Posh levelling through George Boyd early in the second half.

Ferguson said: "That one terrible decision from Russell has changed the whole complexion of the game.

"The referee made his decision to send off Joe very quickly even though he was doing his best to get out of the way of their player.

"Up until that point we had been very competitive and I felt we had a good chance of going through, but the sending off changed that.

"We played some really good stuff at times and this certainly wasn't the annihilation the scoreline might suggest.

"In the end it became an exercise in conserving as much energy as possible for another must-win league match on Saturday."

Read Swanny's match report: Blackburn 5, Posh 2 - Red card was rough luck on plucky Posh

Lewis will now be suspended for the crunch Championship home clash against Barnsley at London Road on Saturday. Ferguson confirmed he plans to draft in a new goalkeeper on loan rather than pitch rookie James McKeown into battle.

Central defender Gaby Zakunai and striker Craig Mackail-Smith will both be available for that fixture after missing the cup loss last night.

Ferguson added: "We monitor the progress of lots of players in all positions and we have a couple of goalkeepers on the radar.

"I would say there is a strong possibility that we will bring someone in quickly."

Charlie Lee suffered bad bruising to his lower right leg and ankle after being on the receiving end of a thumping challenge last night.

Ferguson will assess his condition ahead of the Barnsley date.

Lee's departure with injury led to the arrival of Martin who endured an awful night.


RECENT recruits Scott Griffiths and Ryan Bennett will both line up for Posh Reserves in a friendly fixture at Histon tonight (7.30pm kick-off).

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  • Last Updated: 28 October 2009 5:15 PM
  • Source: Peterborough ET
  • Location: Peterborough
 
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Cheekymich,

Lowestoft 28/10/2009 09:54:04
Here we go again, the blame game. This is an excuse for the ineptitude of some defenders. Will D.F. ever learn ??
2

sonnyjim,

28/10/2009 09:57:35
Perhaps Martin can turn this afternoons trip to Tesco in Market Deeping to his advantage, I hear they have some vacancies
3

Battersea Posh,

28/10/2009 09:57:54
great effort Posh and bad luck. Good games for Frecklington, Boydie (of course), Whelps and, especially Lowe. Onwards and upwards
4

DonB,

Peterborough 28/10/2009 10:08:29
Martin has been a weak link for some time. Unfortunately a lot of defensive bloomers can be traced straight back to him.
5

MattyW,

Peterborough 28/10/2009 10:32:18
Joke of the day goes to sonnyjim - did make me chuckle! Got to feel for the lad though - it was a bad decision granted, but he will need to show some real character to come back after this. Lets not forget he skippered us to those promotions.
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PP123,

P'boro 28/10/2009 11:01:55
I blame Russell Martin, if he isnt giving the ball back to Joe Lewis he is giving it to the oposition!! COLOURBLIND MARTIN!!!! GET RID!!!!
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sonnyjim,

28/10/2009 11:24:23
Martin has been capable at Div 2 and Div 1 level and it is always possible that later in his career he could step up to championship. He has performed capably for us in the last two seasons but at this stage in his career is simply not ready for Championship football and he has been struggling to cope all this season. This does not mean that he is useless or blind or even a bad person just that it is time for him to move on and good luck to him. The problem that we are facing at the moment though is that Fergie has failed to recognise the problem until fairly recently and all we currently have is two makeshift right backs in Lee and Whelpdale.

In a similar vein and whilst Batt (I think) is a great and developing prospect he is not a viable day in day out alternative if CMS or McLean get injured. Couple that with the fact that teams at this level have "sussed" our forward play and we are crying out for an alternative striker.

We are on the verge now of having a pretty decent squad, why throw it all away by failure to act/stubborness. Really, it is time to forget the rhetoric and start putting the final pieces in place, failure to do so will mean that relegation remains a very distinct possibility.
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Roger LeChat,

A Mansion on Benedict Canyon Drive 28/10/2009 12:35:12
Cheekymich...Isn't DF having a go at Russell Martin in this report? Doesn't sound like an excuse, more that he is allocating the blame fairly and squarely on Russell Martin. I think most people have known for some time the CCC is a step too far for Russell, but DF has held faith with him until a couple of weeks ago. It would appear after reading this report his faith has now gone as I'm sure Russell will be very soon. Time to thank him for his efforts, give him a pat on the back and get a quality defender to fill that slot.
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Robert De Niro,

28/10/2009 12:47:12
Fully agree that Martin is just not up to Championship level. Shame as he seems like a good lad but that's football. I'm really pleased to hear that we're going to get a loan keeper instead of using McKeown as I don't believe he is anywhere near good enough for this level. I get the impression that DF is starting to wield the axe for certain obvious under-performers which is great news at last. They've all had their chances to prove their worth and now is the time to start improving the side and pushing for promotion!
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mrblackbird,

Dogsthorpe 28/10/2009 12:49:39
Poor management from Ferguson. He should never criticise his players in public. Russell Martin probably felt bad enough in the first place.
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