High praise for Peterborough United under Luke Williams from the manager of Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers visit the Weston Homes Stadium for a League One game on Saturday (3pm kick off) and ‘Trotters’ manager Steven Schumacher is expecting a tough and exciting game.

He’s looking forward to it after Bolton’s recent struggles against teams with a far less expansive approach than Posh. Bolton picked up just two points in three festive fixtures against Mansfield, Doncaster and Northampton. They are currently fifth having lost just five of 24 League One games.

Schumacher told the Bolton News: “We’re going to a team bang in form. I thought they played well against us earlier this season when they played a back five. They passed the ball and caused us problems that day.

“They have always had some really good individuals, but since Luke has gone in there, the confidence has came back to their team and they're playing really well.

"Luke has changed the shape and they are playing a system which really suits them. The wingers are a threat. The nine, (Harry) Leonard, is really lively. The three midfield players can all handle the ball. (Archie) Collins is one of the best midfield players in the league, technically, so, you have to think about how you get pressure on him.

!Their centre-halves are confident and can pass the ball. It's a team, one of the few teams of late, that will open the pitch up and try and play against us.

"I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing against a team that will probably have a go at us. It'll be a tough test. Luke has got them playing really well and I'm looking forward to the game.”

Posh lost 2-1 at Bolton in October. They haven’t beaten Bolton in their last seven Football League meetings.

When Schumacher last managed a game at Posh his Plymouth Argyle side were thumped 5-2 in a 2023 League One fixture. Argyle went on to win the title and Posh missed out in the play-offs.