A crazy start to League One, but Peterborough United appear much stronger than last season even if summer defensive strategy has been exposed as folly, and an option to change shape

As should a Saturday performance at the Weston Homes Stadium when the current league leaders Sheffield Wednesday were very fortunate to take three points from a 2-1 win.

‘The Owls’ sit top after being granted a very soft start to the season. Also in the top six are Cambridge United and Burton Albion who have little chance of maintaining that pace.

Mansfield lost at Posh, stuck five past Luton and then shipped five themselves at Reading. Luton then beat Stockport who then won 4-0 at Wigan.

Current comedy club Leicester City are providing the laughs and Stevenage, who looked like they couldn’t hit a barn door at London Road last Tuesday, scored five in just over a half of football at Barnsley. Barnsley had beaten Blackpool in their previous outing a few days after the Seasiders had hammered Posh 4-0.

In short form guides are currently unreliable. Posh certainly look in better shape than 12 months ago, but they’ll need to be.

And yet faith in the manager and the players shouldn’t be completely lost just yet.

TALKING POINTS FROM POSH 1, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2...

1) Of course if Posh don’t improve in both penalty areas then the current position of 20th might become a welcome finishing spot. Posh defended okay in the main yesterday, but the two goals they conceded were shockers and, let’s be brutal here, the identity of those most culpable for the crucial opening goal were unsurprising. James Dornelly and David Okagbue made poor decisions too close to their own penalty area and, although the latter almost rescued the situation, game-defining moments from those two have been commonplace for the last season and a bit. Credit to Dornelly for his goal assist with a wonderful cross, and for his energy and application for 90 minutes, but he’s a defender first and foremost. Carl Johnston’s next medical bulletin will be eagerly awaited.

2) Posh were cursed by defensive injuries last season and it’s again been a theme of a season just five League One games old. Johnston’s problems aside, the folly in believing Tom O’Connor and Sam Hughes would be the team’s main centre-backs despite lengthy injury records has already been exposed. Hughes won’t be seen for a while, if at all, and O’Connor lasted 14 minutes of yesterday’s game before his body gave way again. Okagbue will presumably now get a long run in the side with teenager Lucca Mendonca as the back-up. The Ireland Under 21 international needs to rediscover his form in the first few months under Luke Williams, and alongside Tom Lees, and cut out the daft moments like the crazy chipped pass across his own penalty area in the first half yesterday which was predictably intercepted. At least loan centre-back Josh Feeney looked good again.

3) Posh unveiled a clever corner routine yesterday which gave Harrison Jones the chance of a clear strike at goal, but he couldn’t generate enough power. Okagbue should have done better with a far post header from a fine Ben Woods delivery in the first-half as well. Disappointing then to lose the game to a basic near post corner which would easily have been booted off the line if Posh had posted a man on the post.

4) Posh have excellent midfield options especially in an open game like yesterday’s. The ultra defensive approach of Stevenage made it hard for Posh in their previous outing. They lacked the guile, muscle and vision to create more than a couple of chances. But Liam Kelly appears to be an excellent addition as does Jones. Ben Woods provides the muscle, a fine left-foot, and now a goal threat with perfectly timed runs in midfield. Posh passed the ball around Wednesday with ease, particularly in the second-half, but it wouldn’t drop for them in the penalty area (unlike the kindly ricochets which had also enabled the visitors to take the lead). Harry Ashfield was given 20 minutes to shine on his debut and looked comfortable on the ball. Add the natural athleticism of Brandon Khela and the all-round talents of Matty Garbett and that’s a lot of talent.

5) That midfield variety could make a change of shape possible. Because of injuries to Owura Edwards and Vernon Masara, Posh only had two natural wingers in the matchday squad and Ethan Williams was substituted after a hard-working effort, while Bolu Shofowoke, who was a constant threat, looked knackered well before the end. Garbett, and possibly Jones, could certainly play at the tip of a diamond with Kelly at the base. Khela and Woods could operate on the sides, while Harry Ashfield’s main qualities are yet to be seen. That would also mean Harry Leonard could get help up top from Danny Ormerod. Food for thought perhaps.