It was tough which is a comment on the strength in depth now at the club. Two big summer signings and one in-form midfielder are all on my substitutes’ bench.
I’m playing a 3-4-2-1 formation against a Sheffield United team that strengthened considerably in the last couple of days of transfer window business.
Remember it’s the team I would pick, not the one I think Posh boss Darren Ferguson would pick.
5. JOE WARD
Ward has been disappointing in the two Championship away matches so far this season, but he has little opposition for his right wing-back place. Posh were happy to let Idris Kanu leave on loan on transfer day which suggests he is not close to selection and picking rookie Joe Tomlinson would be a gamble. Ward's understanding with Thompson is a positive.
6. HARRISON BURROWS
I must confess I thought the teenager's contribution following promotion to the Championship would be limited this season, but he's been one of the top performers in two different positions so far. He was defensively disciplined as a left wing-back against a dangerous West Bromwich Albion side last weekend so he deserves another shot. If Posh do manage to get on the front foot at Bramall Lane, Burrows could be a key player as he's a more reliable crosser of the ball than Butler.
7. JACK TAYLOR
He's our best all-round midfielder so he needs to play as many minutes as posible.
8. CONOR COVENTRY
If Posh spent so long pursuing this player and were prepared to gamble on being left short in midfield positions if he hadn't arrived, I'm happy to believe he's some midfielder so lets get him into the side straight away. It would be harsh on Ollie Norburn who did little wrong in his first two Posh appearances, but managers have to be ruthless at times and I suspect Coventry has been signed to play alongside Taylor who he knows well from international duty so let's get them going straight away. He'll only have had a couple of days training with Posh, so knowing Taylor's game so well already will help. Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images.