Peterborough United boss admits it’s time to end seven years of pain

Posh have been stuck in League One since an agonising relegation from the Championship on the final day of the 2012-13 season.

They haven’t even reached the play-offs in the last six seasons despite the impressive financial backing of Darragh MacAnthony and his co-owners Stewart Thompson and Dr Jason Neale.

That boardroom support has again been apparent this summer with the million-pound purchases of striker Jonson Clarke-Harris and attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics.

But Ferguson insists he is not feeling under pressure to deliver.

“The expectations are always high at this club,” Ferguson stated.

“I understand that and I accept it because the financial support of the owners is always outstanding.

“They always plough money from player sales back into the squad so in some ways I am a lucky manager.

“I don’t feel pressure as such though. The fact I have been in this situation before at this club is a big help.

“Six years without play-offs is a long time for this club though.

“We’ve come close and obviously we couldn’t do a lot about last season.

“I am confident we will be competitive and I am very happy with the squad, especially as Sammie is now back.

“It’s certainly time for us to step up and challenge strongly for promotion. We are all looking forward to that challenge.”

Posh start their 2020-21 League One campaign behind closed doors at Accrington Stanley on Saturday (September 12).

MacAnthony is expecting some return on his investment this season, but he, his partners and Ferguson are all part of a long-term vision for the club.

There are 21 pages on Posh in tomorrow’s PT (September 10) including a 16-page pre-season supplement.