The Posh boss was stunned by his side's Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat by Dagenham & Redbridge this week, especially as it arrived three days after a famous win over Leeds United.

But Manchester United's legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson drew on his own vast experience to make his son feel better.

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Match updates: Walsall v Posh.
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Darren said: "I found it hard to accept that the same players could turn in two vastly different performances in a matter of days, but the old man said it has happened to him hundreds of times.

"He said that just when you think nothing will go wrong, it does. That's just the way football is and you have to deal with it.

"It was a very disappointing night against Dagenham, but it's gone now and we have to put on a performance against Walsall and I am confident we will."

Unfortunately for Ferguson junior he will be sending out a patched-up Posh side at the Bescot Stadium with Charlie Lee and Kieran Charnock expected to form a new, and small, central defensive partnership against two powerful, and big, strikers.

Posh had nine players at first-team training yesterday as left-back Tom Williams and striker Shaun Batt were also absent because of minor knocks.

Both will play tomorrow, but there are serious doubts about midfielders Dean Keates and Sergio Torres as well as central defender Chris Westwood, while first-choice centre-backs Craig Morgan and Gaby Zakuani are away on international duty.

Ferguson added: "Walsall are a well-organised side with two big and quick front-runners, but we are in good form ourselves and I am sure we will cause them plenty of problems."

One of the youth team could be on the bench again tomorrow. Sam Gaughran and Danny Andrew were on the bench against Dagenham on Tuesday.

Ferguson has recommended Posh midfielder Paul Coutts to Scotland Under 21 manager Billy Stark.