Peterborough United boss did not recognise his team in 'dreadful' display at Blackpool

Posh were soundly beaten 3-1 at Bloomfield Road by the side that began in the day in 20th place in League One. Posh made poor starts to both halves and conceded three minutes into the game and just four minutes into the second half to goals from Dale Taylor and Tom Bloxham respectively.

Taylor added a third later in the second half. A wonderful strike from Brandon Khela to level the match at 1-1 was the one Posh highlight from the match.

A red card for home centre-back Fraser Horsfall for hacking down Bolu Shofowoke failed to lead to any improvement in Posh fortunes who struggled to compete throughout and conceded a number of good chances.

Exeter’s draw at Plymouth meant that the gap between the bottom four and Posh closed to four points, with Posh slipping to 16th in the table. Posh, who had performed well in their previous game against promotion certainties Cardiff City, have two games in hand on ‘The Grecians’

Williams said: “The football was dreadful. We were awful today, we couldn’t deal with the atmosphere, the man-to-man defensive style of the opposition. We were dreadful. The other team were miles better than us. They matched us up and we failed in all the duels. We failed defensively and with possession in all of the matchups.

“We very very poor. We looked overwhelmed at the beginning. There were a decent atmosphere and it didn’t look like we were calm in that. The opposition were aggressive man-to-man and played with intensity, which we did not deal with.

“We are a far better team than what I have seen today. We were second best in every way.

“It couldn’t be more different from the last game we played, but Brandon’s goal was one of the few times we pinched the ball high up the field and it was a fabulous goal. It was the one glimpse of quality from us in the game. For the most part, we were suppressed and we struggled to cover the long ball and we struggled to stay calm when we picked up the second balls. It was a very poor performance.

“I don’t recognise the team today. We are not the best side in the division, we know that, but we have not had many where we have been that sloppy and second best all game. They were all preventable goals.

“We are allowed an off day and I’ve seen far better performances than that. It was a difficult game and we were well below our best.

“We were sloppy and we are not coping with the level of football over 90 minutes at the moment.

"We conceded from a set-piece. We couldn’t deal with the direct ball forward, then two throw ins we couldn’t retain. We gave away a set-piece. The lad hits it through our entire team and scuffs it into the bottom corner. If it breaks the net, you tip your hat but when its scuffed into the corner and the entire outfield doesn’t block it, you’re disappointed.

“Ultimately, the red card is a brilliant decision from the defender. It gives us a lift if we go on and score. It was excellent from Bolu, he is so quick, direct and brave. I’m very disappointed with the way we played against 10 men thoughs. I get that is it crowded in the box, but we have more quality than we showed. We were not at it today.

“They are fighting for everything and put everyone in the box to defend against our actions. Then of course, you need a moment of quality and composure to score a goal - they did it in the first couple of minutes - but we were not up to it today.

“I’ve been banging on since I arrived that I can see things in the team that are concerning. I love the group to pieces, but there are things in there that are concerning. It always gave me the feeling that it was not going to be an easy ride. I have no fear at all but there’s some fragility there and its showing in this period. We need to get on and make sure we secure some more points which we are very, very capable of doing.

“We are very pleased to be back at home on Thursday and our fanbase will be incredible and give us extra energy. I can feel it when I’m standing there. The players will respond brilliantly to that. I have no fears, I know this group can play some really good football, score a lot of goals and win games at this level.”

Posh play one of their games in hand over some of the teams around them on Thursday night (April 16, 7:45) when they host bottom side Port Vale. Vale were not in action on Saturday due to Stockport’s involvement in the Vertu Trophy final but do host Barnsley on Tuesday night.