Sponsored by
Cooper: Posh too easy to defeat
NEW Peterborough United boss Mark Cooper has admitted that the team he inherited had become too easy to beat.
NEW Peterborough United boss Mark Cooper has admitted that the team he inherited had become too easy to beat.Cooper has made tightening up a defence that has kept just one clean sheet in the Championship all season a priority ahead of his Posh managerial debut at Sheffield United on Saturday.
The over-lapping full-backs so loved by the previous regime could become a thing of the past under Cooper, a manager who prides himself on defensive discipline.
Cooper, who ran the rule over some fringe first-teamers and some youth stars in yesterday's reserve team draw with Southend, said: "The team had become too easy to score against and therefore too easy to beat.
"We have spent much of my first two days drumming defensive routines into the team because we need to tighten up at the back.
"I know they have become used to a particular style of play, but full-backs for example are there to defend first and foremost."
The full-back positions have become a real concern for Posh this season with Russell Martin, Charlie Lee, Chris Whelpdale, Jamie Day, Tommy Rowe and Tommy Williams all being deployed there in a Posh side that has lost nine of their 16 Championship fixtures.
Williams is now on loan at Championship rivals QPR, but Cooper's comments on the role of full-backs should give hope to club captain Martin in particular.
Martin played the first half for the second string yesterday, a game in which Day scored a spectacular goal.
Lee returned to training yesterday as did midfielder Paul Coutts, but on-loan goalkeeper Ben Amos has returned to Manchester United
Meanwhile Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony has denied claims in the Irish press that Bohemians manager Patrick Fenlon was offered the manager's job at London Road before Mark Cooper accepted the position.
MacAnthony said: "It's typical nonsense from every person associated with the job. He was interviewed and, as I did with all the candidates, we spoke terms so I wouldn't have to revisit the subject if they were the one I wanted.
"Fenlon and others phoned Barry Fry after their interviews to get in front of me again so they could land the job.
"But the only person from the six I interviewed who was offered the job was Mark Cooper."
Fenlon has led Bohemians to two Irish League titles. He has also been linked with managerial jobs in the Scottish Premier League.
Posh will play Derby County in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Pride Park on Wednesday, December 9 (7pm).
Admission is 3 for adults, but those entitled to concessions will gain free entry.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.