Peterborough United boss on players performing well out of position plus the latest on injured centre-backs
A pair of players performing out of position caught the eye of Peterborough United manager Luke Williams in the Tuesday night friendly win at Colchester United.
Carl Johnston, who is a full-back by trade, played in central midfield, while regular midfielder Joe Andrews did a shift as a centre-back.
Posh are light on central defensive numbers with Sam Hughes and Tom O’Connor still working their way back to full fitness, while George Nevett was unavailable last night because of a wrist injury suffered playing against Neom SC in Spain last week.
Owura Edwards, against his former club, Harry Leonard, from the penalty spot, and Brandon Khela, with a 25 yarder three minutes from time, scored the Posh goals.
Posh again made multiple team changes during the match with some players given just 30 minutes at the start.
Williams said: “Carl Johnston was the best player on the pitch by some distance. He was a cut above and I enjoyed his performance. The way he accepts the ball and his defensive instincts meant he could perform the midfield role extremely well.
"And Joe Andrews is perhaps an underrated player. In my time here I have seen him play as a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder and a full-back. Now he’s done a good job as a central defender.
"It was a very competitive game for a friendly. I was disappointed with the way we conceded goals, but equally pleased with the way we scored our goals.
"It is much, much better to come off the pitch winning, even if it was only a friendly. Our preparation demands we take these games seriously as want to go into the season confident.
"We are still getting the right levels of conditioning into the players hence the changes. We decided to give some players just 30 minutes at the start as we didn’t want them to sit around before they played.
"Owura was lively. He doesn’t stop running and it was pleasing to see him get on the end of a far post cross to score. We want our wingers to be explosive.
"I’m desperate to get Sam Hughes and Tom O’Connor back. Hopefully we can get them in full training before the end of pre-season and hopefully we can get them into a friendly. If not we can get them in shape for the beginning of the season”
Posh experienced some new laws that have been introduced into the game for the 2026-27 season. Throw-ins have to be taken within five seconds or possession is given away and there is another clampdown on holding offences at set-pieces. Posh scored from a penalty awarded for holding at a corner last night.
Williams added: “I like the new rules as they should make the game quicker and more entertaining. The referee was very clear in how he was going to officiate the game when speaking to both managers beforehand and I felt he refereed very well. You have to be switched on at set-plays and we did get caught out a couple of times.”
Posh are back in action at Peterborough Sports tonight (Wednesday, 7.45pm kick off).