POSH PLAYER VERDICTS: 90 minutes to forget for the boys in blue

Posh lost 4-0 at home, a result that is reflected in some dismal Peterborough Telegraph marks.

Ben Alnwick: Beaten by some very accurate finishing and poorly protected by a back four that seemed to change every 20 minutes or so 5

Michael Smith: He struggled in his specialist position of right-back against impressive wideman Kyel Reid. Spent the second-half in midfield and looked lost in all honesty despite playing with good energy and commitment 5

Andrew Fox: The scapegoat for a very slow start by the whole team. Substituted after 32 minutes when many others could have been hauled off as well 4

Jack Baldwin: Made numerous good clearances as a central defender from crosses as Posh came under the cosh, but then inexplicably moved into midfield and played a part in the crucial opening goal by committing a clumsy foul and failing to get back into position quickly enough. Played right-back after the break which was frankly baffling and never looked like working offensively or defensively 5

Gaby Zakuani: Couldn’t believe he started after his midweek exertions which had followed a three-month lay-off. Sometimes players need saving from themselves and this was one such occasion. Totally dominated by a big centre forward’s power and skill in the air. Should have been replaced at half-time 4

Michael Bostwick: On form he’s the best central defender in the squad so starting him in central midfield in place of the excellent Forrester was a strange decision. He played with good commitment, but even the team’s strong-man looked jaded. Didn’t play well either when moved back to the centre of defence 5

Jon Taylor: The odd skirmish down the wing, but this looked like a game too far for a man who can only play at a breakneck speed. Denied a goal by an amazing defensive goal-line block 4

Martin Samuelsen: An anonymous 45 minutes before he was taken off at the break. The young man left all his form behind in the West Brom match 4

Adil Nabi: Started his full debut with promise, showed one or two neat touches and almost scored with a late free-kick. Should have scored at start of second-half. Never threatened to take the game by the scruff of the neck from the key position at the tip of the midfield diamond 5

Shaquile Coulthirst: He looked like a quick runner with poor decision-making skills. Either holds on to the ball for too long or releases it too quickly. Caught offside too often. Struggled to link up effectively with team-mates 4

Tom Nichols: A horrible game for a slight-of-build striker especially when his team-mates persisted in lumping the ball high in the air too him. A couple of speculative strikes at goal, but showed a neat touch to help create the best Posh chance of the match in the first minute of the second-half. Never managed to worry a strong defence 4

Substitutes:

Marcus Maddison: (for Fox, 32 mins) Couldn’t affect the play from left-back. Slipped in to the general malaise very quickly 4

Chris Forrester: (for Samuelsen, 46 mins) Started brightly, but faded quickly 5

Lee Angol: (for Zakuani, 70 mins)

Erhun Oztumer: (not used).

Harry Toffolo: (not used).

Ricardo Santos: (not used)

Dion-Curtis Henry: (not used).