All hail Jonson Clarke-Harris who chases a fifth scoring game in a row against Wimbledon after reaching the highest seasonal goals tally of his career

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has praised the contribution of top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris to the club’s determined push for promotion from League One.
Jonson Clarke-Harris scrambled the ball home against Gillingham here. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Jonson Clarke-Harris scrambled the ball home against Gillingham here. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Jonson Clarke-Harris scrambled the ball home against Gillingham here. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Clarke-Harris will lead the Posh attack against AFC Wimbledon tomorrow (February 20, 3pm) seeking to get on the scoresheet for the fifth successive match.

The 26 year-old’s two goals in the 3-1 win at Gillingham on Tuesday took his tally for the season in all competitions to 19 goals, the most prolific of his career.

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Clarke-Harris did score 17 goals in 35 appearances for Bristol Rovers in the shortened season of 2019-20. Form that earned him a big money summer move to Posh and he has started all 27

Jonson Clarke-Harris (right) celebrates a goal at Gillingham with Nathan Thompson. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Jonson Clarke-Harris (right) celebrates a goal at Gillingham with Nathan Thompson. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Jonson Clarke-Harris (right) celebrates a goal at Gillingham with Nathan Thompson. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“Jonson’s goals have been valuable, but he’s more than just a goalscorer,” Ferguson said. “He is a leader, a winner and a real focal point for this team.

“He was our number one target when Ivan Toney left and we had to work hard on his fitness when he first got here, but he’s been an oustanding signing and a real pleasure to work with.

“His fitness has been excellent. He had Covid around Christmas and he wasn’t quite right when he came back, but his performance levels have remained high. He’s been brilliant so far.

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“Jonson is obviously enoying his football and he enjoys the way6 we play and work. He’s here to do a job though as we all are. We all know the expectations.”

Ferguson revealed there were one or two niggles within his squad ahead of tomorrow’s game, but nothing to get overly-concerned about.

Siriki Dembele can expect to start against a Dons side now managed by former club youth team coach Mark Robinson after his outstanding display as a half-time substitute at Gillingham when Posh overturned a half-time deficit to win 3-1.

Third-placed Posh are chasing a fourth straight League One win and they could go top if top two Lincoln (at Wigan) and Hull City (at Doncaster) slip up.

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“We were magnificent in the second-half at Gillingham,” Ferguson enthused. “It was relentless attacking and we need to repeat it tomorrow against a side who will be fresh having not played for a while and who played very well under their new manager last time out.

“Thye new manager knows the club very well and Wimbledon know League One very well so I am expecting a tough game.

“This season will be a grind if you let it. Currently we are in a good place mentally and physically and we want to keep our winning run going as long as possible as the table can change very quickly with all the games coming thick and fast this season.

“Going top doesn’t concern me now. Being top at the end of the season is what’s really important.”