A welcome Peterborough United win, but one that didn't set the pulse racing, leave Archie alone and Harry is capable of JCH goal numbers

A 2-1 success at a Reading side unbeaten in their previous five League One matches was deserved, and deserving of praise, but was it a strong precursor of happier times ahead? Not really.

There was a vulnerability at set-pieces that will have arch enemy Northampton Town licking their lips in anticipation ahead of Saturday’s derby at the Weston Homes Stadium. One suspects, given the wild success of such a tactic last season, Cobblers will also deliver a much more aggressive press than Reading managed at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

There’s little chance of Posh defenders and goalkeeper being given the time and space to knock the ball sideways and backwards with complete freedom this weekend so the passing will need to be more positive and quicker amid the tighter confines of London Road.

Posh have proved they can do that effectively on occasion under the current manager, but there have also been too many false dawns this season. The next few games (Cobblers, Port Vale, Orient, Reading, Rotherham) offer hope of a departure from the relegation zone as long as Posh can find some consistency of form and selection.

OTHER TALKING POINTS FROM READING 1, POSH 2…

1) Scoring first is crucial to the way Posh play. They’ve scored the opening goal in three of the five League One games under the care of Luke Williams and won them all. The two defeats came after the opposition had opened the scoring. Posh have the speed and enough quality to exploit teams forced to chase a game. Posh also enjoyed a rare piece of luck for that crucial third minute strike from Jimmy-Jay Morgan as the striker didn’t engineer the scoring contact. He does have a happy knack of being in the right place at the right time.

2) Morgan was preferred in the starting line-up to New Zealand international Matt Garbett, a man bound for the World Cup Finals next summer. Garbett is the most naturally gifted footballer in the squad, but his levels had dipped in recent games. He accepted his demotion to the substitutes’ bench with apparent good grace and his attitude when he came on, just after Reading equalised, was exemplary. He kept possession well, worked hard and created a late chance for fellow substitute Donay O’Brien-Brady with a superb cross.

3) The wide pitch at Reading should have suited a team with quick wingers, but, while Kyrell Lisbie was man-of-the-match with his aggressive running on the left-hand side, little went right for Declan Frith on the other flank. Lisbie was himself bouncing back from a a couple of mediocre displays and two young wingers with no Football League experience before joining Posh can’t be expected to be outstanding in every match. LIsbie had a hand in both goals and might have a third assist early in the second half only for Harry Leonard to get in the way of what looked a perfect pass to the onrushing Frith.

4) It might not be obvious to everyone just yet, but Leonard appears to be a natural goal-scoring number nine. His finish last night, a low hard drill into the corner, was impressive. Put him in the middle of Ephron Mason-Clark and Kwame Poku and Leonard would rack up Jonson Clarke-Harris numbers, and that’s no slight on Lisbie and Frith.

5) Archie Collins hasn’t been at his absolute best this season and he wasn’t again last night when he played a big part in Reading’s equaliser, but those who now seem to believe he’s a big problem in a struggling side need to give their heads a wobble. Yes, he’s exercised his right to reject a new contract offer, but he still acts like a proper professional in terms of attitude and workrate. I can’t think of anyone in the squad capable of fulfilling his role in the team better than Collins. It’s not even close.

6) Posh didn’t get out of the bottom four with last night’s win, but they are now three points from 16th and five points from 13th. It’s 12 points from the play-offs, but those giddy predictions after the first two games of Luke Williams’ reign can be parked. Unless Posh have a ridiculously successful transfer window there will be no surge to the top six. Getting knocked out of two cup competitions in four days will probably be a good thing in the long-term. Posh can concentrate on their only remaining target, survival.