Is Joe Ward the new Marcus Maddison? Can Jonson Clarke-Harris emulate Ivan Toney? Peterborough United players riding high at the top of the League One charts

But there he is sitting top of the assist table in the third tier with five, four of them in his last four games when he’s also scored twice including a fourth goal in his last five appearances against Burton Albion last night (October 27). Not that Ward, unlike some, indulges in brags or bravado.

“Not the best performance personally, but pleased to get on scoresheet again,” he tweeted after the Burton match.

Ward’s stats have received a boost since he was moved forward from a right wing-back position to a more advanced role on the right side of the Posh attack.

“I’m really enjoying playing with Nathan Thompson down the right,” Ward said. “We’ve played with each other a lot now and we get on well, He talks to me throughout the game.

“It’s been a real team effort lately. We’re all working hard to get on the scoresheet and to keep clean sheets.”

Posh boss Darren Ferguson has been delighted with Ward’s form.

“Joe is playing to very high level right now,” Ferguson enthused. “He plays well as a wing-back, but his current position suits him very well. I feel a lack of confidence has possibly held him back in the past, but he’s full of confidence at the moment.”

Most assists in League One: 5 Ward; 4 Joe Piggott (Wimbledon), George Honeyman (Hull); 3 Conor Grant (Plymouth), Josh Sims (Doncaster), Vadaine Oliver (Gillingham), Harry Anderson (Lincoln), 2 Siriki Dembele (Posh).

* Three goals in three games has propelled Jonson Clarke-Harris into joint second spot in the League One top scorers list behind Lincoln’s Jorge Grant who has five penalties in his six goals. Ivan Toney won the League One Golden Boot with 24 goals last season.

Most goals League One: 6 Grant, 5 Clarke-Harris, Gwion Edwards (Ipswich), Marcus Harnes (Portsmouth), John Marquis (Portsmouth); 4 Teddy Bishop (Ipswich), Keane Lewis-Potter (Hull), Matthew Lund (Rochdale), Jordan Graham (Gillingham), Kane Hemmings (Burton), Mallik Wilks (Hull).