Darragh is convinced Posh now boast a ‘golden generation’ of young players

Posh teenager Harrison Burrows scores against Burton.

The excellent recent form of 19 year-old Harrison Burrows has thrown a spotlight on the teenage talent currently available to Posh.

As well as Burrows, who scored his first senior goal in a League One game at Burton Albion last month, defender Ronnie Edwards (18), and forwards Flynn Clarke (18) and Ricky-Jade Jones (18) have also caught the eye at first-team level.

Posh also have a glut of promising young players emerging from an under 18 side that retained their Youth Alliance League title and reached the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup this season.

Will Blackmore (right) warms up with first-team goalkeeper Christy Pym.

The Posh under 18 side, managed by former club youth team superstars Matthew Etherington and Simon Davies, also reached the Youth Alliance Cup Final which they lost on penalties to Gillingham last weekend.

MacAnthony, in an edition of his ‘Hard Truth’ podcast, said: “I’m excited about next season, partly because I honestly believe we have a golden generation of young players coming through.

“We haven’t had that since Matthew Etherington and Simon Davies emerged together many years ago when Barry Fry was manager.

“Young players can make you look like idiots. You don’t really fancy them and then three years or so later they hit the big time somewhere else.

“I don’t think that will happen with our next group.

“Fifteen months ago we sent an understrength team to play at Rotherham over Christmas and Harrison started the game.

“And for want of a better term he looked like a ‘weed’ against a physically powerful team.

“Fast forward to this season and Harrison’s physicaility is so much better. The ability has always been there, but now he looks the part.

“Harrison can hold his own now. He looks at home and at the age of 19 he is a proper League One player.

“I’ve been guilty of over-hyping some young players in the past, but we have some serious talent coming through.

“They’ve won their league for the last two seasons and done well in cup competitions.

“I’m confident many will make it at first-team level.”

Posh have signed goalkeeper Will Blackmore, centre-back Dave Bodie and forward Hameed Ishola from the Academy on professional contracts this year.

Portuguese striker Adler Nascimento is expected to sign a pro contract on his 17th birthday.