Peterborough United midfielder Cooke out to serve up trouble for his former club

Callum Cooke reckons his match-clinching goal at Gillingham last weekend will be devalued if Peterborough United don't beat Blackpool at the ABAX Stadium on Saturday (September 29).
Callum Cooke celebrates the Posh win at Gillingham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Callum Cooke celebrates the Posh win at Gillingham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Callum Cooke celebrates the Posh win at Gillingham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

The midfielder claimed his first Posh goal in a 4-2 win at the Priestfield Stadium. The three points took Posh back to the top of the table.

Posh have now won all five away games, but their next aim is to improve their home form. They’ve played poorly in their last two outings in front of their own fans, drawing with Doncaster after being outplayed and losing to promotion rivals Portsmouth.

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And Saturday is a big day for Cooke (21) on a personal level. He spent last season on loan at Blackpool from Middlesbrough and played well in a 1-0 win at the ABAX, one of 34 appearances he made for the Tangerines.

Callum Cooke (left) in action for Blackpool last season.Callum Cooke (left) in action for Blackpool last season.
Callum Cooke (left) in action for Blackpool last season.

“It was an up and down loan spell for me there last season,” Cooke said. “I played a lot of games which was good though. I’ve had my eye on the fixture for a while. I will remain professional though and if I get the opportunity I hope I can score another goal.

“It was a big moment for me at Gillingham. It’s been frustrating for me after picking up a knock early in the season, but I was absolutely buzzing to score my first Posh goal.

“We’ve broken on teams really well this season. Opponents have really struggled to live with us and that was the case last Saturday as we overcame a daft 10-minute spell to win convincingly again.

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“The lads have been brilliant away from home, but we now need to start performing like that at home.

“We have to build on the Gillingham result by beating Blackpool and that would set us up for a big game at Sunderland next Tuesday (October 2).

“We aren’t looking at the table too much. We’re just trying to beat whoever is put in front of us, but we are confident we have the ability to beat anyone on our day. It’s onwards and, hopefully upwards, for us from now on.”

Cooke scored twice for Pool last season. He joined Posh on a free transfer from Boro in the summer, but has yet to start a League One match.

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“Callum has been outstanding in reserve matches and in training which is why we put him in the squad at Gillingham,” Posh boss Steve Evans. “And he did very well. His goal was well taken. He was very cool.”