ALAN SWANN’s Peterborough United talking points: ‘A Herculean run of form, a remarkable scoring stat, recent history will stop Fergie getting carried away, Dembele’s impressive maturity, a team spirit and midfield axis to match the best and now time for a rest’

That could well be the message from Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson to those players who have done most to propel Posh from 19th in League One to top spot in eight matches played over 31 days.

Seven were won, none were lost, four were played away from home with only one goal conceded, and the gap to second is three points. Posh are now the top scorers in the division and boast the best goal difference.

Posh have gained at least three points on the field over the last eight games. They’ve taken five out of Sunderland and nine out of early pacesetters Ipswich Town and Lincoln City. You could say things are going well.

It’s been a Herculean effort for sure and the freshness and stamina on show at Bristol Rovers in the final quarter last night was staggering given how the team has barely altered in such a demanding and gruelling run of matches.

Posh were tested at times at the Memorial Stadium, but after taking a 2-0 lead through the second of two stunning goals in the 62nd minute they ran all over ragged Rovers and could easily have won by more.

Last night’s talking points...

1) The goals from Jack Taylor and Dan Butler were quite brilliant, but Ferguson hailed an ‘outstanding, all-round team effort,’ and he was right.

Goalkeeper Christy Pym made one save, Rovers created just two scoring chances in the second and 69th minutes, Posh controlled the midfield and looked lively on the break going forward.

There are always minor quibbles and Sammie Szmodics’ finishing will need to improve, but he’s contributing in other ways right now.

2) Posh don’t play again in League One until they travel to Crewe on November 14. In this particular season an early FA Cup departure would be no great disappointment. The schedule is hectic enough without adding to it with a run in a competition which will lose much of its lustre without fans. The prize money has also been reduced and there will be no big cash boost from big crowds. Of course Posh will try in their first round tie at League One rivals Oxford United on Saturday, but I’d be surprised if more than five of last night’s team start the game. Ferguson has already said he will rest Jonson Clarke-Harris and I suspect the likes of Jack Taylor, Reece Brown and even Siriki Dembele will also be given a breather.

3) The League One table is a beautiful sight, but Posh shouldn’t be getting carried away. In the 2013/14 season Posh had accumulated 28 points from their first 11 League One matches (W9 D1 L1) and went on to finish sixth. Posh have 25 points from their first 11 matches this season.

The manager in 2013 was Darren Ferguson so his experience could be vital in keeping feet on the ground. The boss is such a different character (far more relaxed and thoughtful) these days I can’t see it being a problem.

4) Taylor and Reece Brown were superb when paired together in central midfield last season. They reached that combined standard last night. Their passing was crisp, quick and accurate. If Posh control central areas their front four will wreak havoc.

5) Given his weekend form it was surprise to see Siriki Dembele miss his early one-on-one opportunity, but the move for the goal was a great sign for the future. I’ve been critical at times this season of the link-up between the forward players, but a superb little touch from Clarke-Harris and a terrific pass from Szmodics sent Dembele racing away. There were other moments during the game which suggested the understanding between the attackers is improving rapidly.

6) Dembele didn’t hit the heights of the weekend, but he had a hand in both goals and in those moments the 24 year-old showcased his growing maturity and team play. In both instances he dribbled inside onto his right foot which came as no surprise to Rovers’ players who were lining up to tackle him, but twice Dembele ignored difficult manoeuvres or low percentage shots through crowded areas to keep the ball alive. He directly set up Taylor’s thump for the opening goal and he came back out away from the area to feed Brown who set up Butler for his stunning goal.

7) Butler is the 14th different Posh player to score this season. Of the regular outfield starters only centre-backs Frankie Kent and Mark Beevers have yet to notch in a League One match and Posh have only only played 11. That’s a remarkable stat.

8) Ferguson has largely given up on hyperbole so his comment last night that the team spirit of the current squad matches any of his other Posh teams is high praise when you consider how close those promotion-winning teams with the ‘Holy Trinity’ at the core were.