Peterborough United boss on his team not getting the points they deserve, freshening up his starting XI and the desperation for a win
Peterborough United boss Luke Williams believes his side haven’t picked up the points they’ve deserved in the League One season so far.
A 1-1 draw at MK Dons on Saturday couldn’t stop Posh sliding into the bottom four with a record of five points from their first six matches. However Posh are just three points off 10th place and five points off sixth in a very congested League One table.
Williams was speaking ahead of Tuesday’s third round Carabao Cup tie at home to divisional rivals Barnsley (7.30pm kick off). The Tykes are just two points better off than Posh.
Williams says Posh are ‘desperate’ to win the game and reach the fourth round for the first time since the 2009-10 season. He will select a side in the way he would choose a starting XI for a league game.
Recent signings Danny Ormerod and Harry Ashfield could start a Posh match for the first time. Ormerod could partner Harry Leonard up front or replace him in the starting line-up. Leonard, who has been skippering the team in recent matches, has not scored in his last four outings.
"I’ve been changing the side pretty regularly anyway so this game won’t be treated any differently,” Williams said. “I will pick a side I believe is suited to winning this particular game against a very energetic Barnsley team who are very good on the ball.
“We are desperate to win the game, but I need to be convinced the players are in a good physical shape and marry that up with the right combinations.
"Obviously we need to start winning a few more matches. We are certainly not where we want to be, but we deserve a few more points than we have and there is some interesting data out there which suggests that as well.
"The two wins in 21 league games stat that keeps cropping up is a little unfair on the players who have only been here for this season. The run we went on before that doesn’t get mentioned anywhere near as much, but jeopardy always seems more exciting than a calm situation.
"There was one EFL club in worse shape than us when I got here so the players deserve credit for putting that right. They just hit a wall towards the end of last season.
"We have the option to freshen things up against Barnsley. Can we get the ball to two strikers if we have one fewer midfield player? I’m sure we can, but it’s about finding a balance.
"Harry will have spells in his career when he’s not scoring, but he’s been getting some chances so his best form will return. We are all backing him.”
Posh report no fresh injury concerns and none of the players who missed the MK match are expected to return tomorrow.