Peterborough United boss is ignoring the poor form of Northampton Town ahead of derby day
Peterborough United boss Luke Williams is ignoring Northampton Town’s dreadful form ahead of the Nene Derby at Sixfields on Saturday.
Cobblers have only won two of 15 League One games since losing 2-1 at Posh in the reverse fixture at the Weston Homes Stadium in December.
Kevin Nolan’s side started that game in a comfortable mid-table position, but they are now 22nd and in deep relegation trouble after losing at home to bottom club Port Vale on Tuesday.
Williams admits Posh are ‘pumped’ for the game, but he insists his team will have to do a lot of things right to get the result they want. Posh have only picked up one point from their last three League One games.
"We are pumped for the game,” Williams said. “There should be a great atmosphere as there’s always a bit extra riding on a derby. We see it as important to be able to give our fans that lovely feeling again after a derby win.
"It will be competitive though. There will be excitement and intensity in the ground and we will try and use it to our advantage. We won’t be alone. I’m sure our fans will make themselves heard. We want to use that atmosphere to generate a good performance.
"Form going into a game like this doesn’t really matter. Whether you are top, in the middle or bottom, it isn’t as important as how you deal with the occasion.
"We have been preparing for their potential threats. Tom Eaves was excellent when he came on against us at our place. I’ve come up against him many times and always admired him. We have been looking at how to contain a very difficult opponent.
"We have been working on our set-pieces and we managed to score a goal from a corner last weekend. Our defensive effectiveness at set-pieces will certainly be tested though.
"I suspect we will be facing a team determined to react positively after some recent setbacks.”
Posh are set to field a makeshift back four again, one containing four right footed players, three of whom are natural right-backs. Peter Kioso, a former Cobblers loanee, is expected to continue at centre-back.
“I’ve been pleased with how players have accepted the challenge of playing in different positions,” Williams added.