Peterborough United boss backs his players to keep up their intense play as they face their first three-game week of 'Savage-Ball'

Posh travel to one of the early League One title contenders Huddersfield Town on Tuesday (October 20, 7:45pm) before facing two further away games at Bromley on Saturday and then Bradford City in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday, October 27.

But Savage believes his players will rise to the challenge of a demanding schedule, but only if they get their preparation and attitude right.

He has also called for his side to be more clinical in front of goal after wasting a host of chances to grow the leads against Burton and Leicester, a problem he hopes new attacking coach Craig Mackail-Smith can help to solve.

Savage said: “The players have embraced the style of football. They are a young group who want to work hard and want to come off feeling absolutely drained. It’s a pleasure to work with such a young group with great characters.

“I wouldn’t play this brand of football if I didn’t think we could do it. We can press and get at teams, get the ball forward quickly and create chances.

“Under Luke Williams, the XG was high and chances were being missed; we saw that against Blackpool, MK, Sheffield Wednesday and I’ve found the same.

"We could have had five or six ast Leicester and we got two on Saturday, but we should have been 3-0 up by half-time. We have to be more ruthless and clinical in the final third and test the goalkeeper more. We are disappointed to look back on 20 shots on Saturday with only six hitting the target. We have to be better in those moments, but the build-up play to get to those moments have been magnificent.

“Craig has come in now and hopefully he can help this young group with his experience. It's about repetition in training and having a belief. All the great forwards will tell you that and that’s why Craig has come into the building.

“It’s a three game week for the first time under me and with the intensity we now play at. Can we do it? I believe we can. We will go to Huddersfield with a belief, energy and with smiles, as that’s what it’s about.

“Recovery will be key too. We have to trust the players to do their recovery and go to bed early. They are all fit, ready and want to play. They have to eat well, sleep well and do everything right. You have to be a football player not just for two or three hours when you come in, but 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If they can do that, we have a chance.

“There might be a time when they are thinking that they are shattered, but they have to get through that and that resilience comes through training and games.”

Huddersfield currently sit third in the table after a fine 2-0 win at then leaders Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Savage added: “Huddersfield is going to be tough, they are flying and they will be up there. They look a good side, but so do we. We have to have the belief that we can go there and win. We’ve just been to Leicester and won and they will be a play-off side. We’ve gone there and should have scored five or six, so why can’t we go to Huddersfield and go toe-to-toe with them?

“If we can outrun them, outwork them and take our chances, who says can’t we win the game?”