Peterborough United believe home comforts can carry them to promotion

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson insists strong home form gives his side an advantage over the rest of the League One promotion contenders.
By Alan Swann
Published 14th Jan 2021, 06:00 BST
Updated 14th Jan 2021, 08:09 BST
Niall Mason could start for Posh against MK Dons.Niall Mason could start for Posh against MK Dons.
Niall Mason could start for Posh against MK Dons.

Posh have dropped the fewest home points (4) of any side in League One this season. They sit fifth in the table despite playing three fewer games at the Weston Homes Stadium than on their travels.

That imbalance will start to be corrected by home games against MK Dons on Saturday (January 16, 3pm) and Charlton Athletic on Tuesday (January 19, 6.30pm) and Ferguson has urged his side to take advantage.

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“We have looked very strong at home again this season,” Ferguson said. “And if we maintain that and start picking up more points away from home we will have a successful season. That’s a message I keep drumming into the players.

Ethan Hamilton (left) and Hararison Burrows will both be in the Posh matchday squad for the visit of MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.Ethan Hamilton (left) and Hararison Burrows will both be in the Posh matchday squad for the visit of MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.
Ethan Hamilton (left) and Hararison Burrows will both be in the Posh matchday squad for the visit of MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.

“We have the current top nine still to play at home so they will be tough games, but we are confident against anyone at our place.

“We will need to play much better against MK on Saturday than we did at their place last month though.

“That was a difficult night for us, but it will be different on Saturday.

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“It has to be or we will struggle again. MK are in good form and taking Burnley all the way in the FA Cup last weekend was a strong performance.

“It helps that we played against them so recently though and I have tough selection decisions which is also a good thing.”

Posh will be without experienced defender Nathan Thompson who is suspended and teenager Ronnie Edwards,who was outstanding at stadium:mk in December, will miss the match because of a Covid scare.

Niall Mason or Frazer Blake-Tracy will replace Thompson with Ferguson expected to stick with a back three and wing-backs against a team who employ the same formation.

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Joe Ward could also start after recovering from a knee injury, while Ethan Hamilton is pushing Reece Brown hard for his midfield place.

“I have good flexibility in the squad especially now Joe Ward and Dan Butler are back,” Ferguson added. “I’ve said it before, but we have a deep squad and we will need them all between now and the end of the season.”

The MK Dons match marks the start of a run of 16 games in 56 days for Posh.

Related topics:Darren FergusonLeague OneMK DonsRonnie EdwardsCharlton AthleticNathan Thompson

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