'No intensity no joy' is one lesson learnt by Peterborough United ahead of Doncaster Rovers test
Peterborough United manager Luke Williams insists his side learnt some valuable lessons when losing at home to the new League One leaders last time out.
Posh went down 1-0 to a physically powerful Stevenage side at the Weston Homes Stadium on a night when they would have clambered out of the relegation zone with a win.
Posh get another chance to exit the bottom four when visiting Doncaster Rovers on Saturday (3pm kick off) when they will be backed by almost 2,000 travelling fans.
Doncaster are managed by former Posh boss Grant McCann, but Williams doesn’t believe that’s a factor tomorrow.
“We learnt we have to play with intensity or we are not the same threat,” Williams, who had steered Posh to victory in each of his first four games as manager, said. “If we lose our edge the game becomes much tougher for us. We encountered a lot of problems against Stevenage, but it was a marginal defeat so those problems are not huge. Stevenage are the best in the division at what they do. They were better than us, but, as I say, only marginally.
"Our players didn’t deserve to be shouted and screamed at afterwards. They have proved to me they have the desire and the hunger to do well, but they just didn’t have their best day. That happens. As a manager I need to be firm, but I also need to show empathy as the players didn’t go out there to lose a game of football.
"Physically it was a mis-match so It wasn’t a good idea to get involved in a physical way against a team with a strong game-plan and model.
“We now meet another team with a strong identity, albeit a different one to Stevenage. Doncaster are very competitive and very well organised. They are led by experienced staff who know what they are doing. They will be ready for us for sure.
"Grant won’t need any extra motivation. His teams are always up for a game.
"Sending our fans home happy will be a motivation for us. The support we have been getting is appreciated and is regularly a topic of discussion in our meetings.”
Posh report no extra injury concerns and long-term absentees are not expected to return tomorrow. Williams has been pleased with the impact of some of his substitutes in his short time at the club so Matthew Garbett, Brandon Khela, Gustav Lindgren and Declan Frith are all be pushing for a start in South Yorkshire.
"If players come in or come on make a good impression they will always have a chance of starting,” Williams added. “That’s the culture we want to create, a squad where everyone gives their best in training or in matches.”