Peterborough United boss wrestling with selection decisions as first-team regulars Szmodics and Reed come under threat

Peterborough United manager is wrestling with some some tough selection decisions ahead of Saturday’s big League One local derby at Northampton Town (October 10).
Sammie Szmodics (centre) celebrates a goal for Posh against Fulham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Sammie Szmodics (centre) celebrates a goal for Posh against Fulham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Sammie Szmodics (centre) celebrates a goal for Posh against Fulham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Most notably he has to find a central midfield combination in the absence of star man Jack Taylor who is away on international duty with Ireland Under 21s.

It’s perm any two from Reece Brown, Ethan Hamilton and Louis Reed for a place in the Posh engine room, but Ferguson also has a selection dilemma further forward with summer signing Ryan Broom, a Posh goalscorer last weekend, threatening Sammie Szmodics’ starting place.

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Szmodics surprisingly played an hour of Tuesday’s EFL Trophy win over Fulham Under 21s , when Broom was given the night off.

Ethan Hamilton (blue) in action for Posh at Accrington. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Ethan Hamilton (blue) in action for Posh at Accrington. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Ethan Hamilton (blue) in action for Posh at Accrington. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Ferguson was also given food for thought by how well Posh played when they ditched their wing-back formation and played 4-2-3-1 in the second-half against Swindon last weekend.

“Sammie’s inclusion in the Fulham game has no bearing on my selection for Saturday,” Ferguson insisted.

“He’s been playing ok. He’s not been at his best, but when he played well for us last season it was during a run of Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday matches so I wanted to get some more minutes into him.

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“And it worked how we wanted it to. Sammie played very well against Fulham. He worked hard and scored an excellent goal.

“Ryan was outstanding when he came on against Swindon last weekend though. He gave us some much-needed energy.

“Central midfield is my biggest selection issue.

“We will miss Jack, but I’m picking two out of three very good players.

“Reece Brown has looked sharp in his last two matches, but Louis Reed has done nothing wrong and Ethan Hamilton gives us something different.

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“I think I know which way I will go, but a lot will depend on the formation I use to combat the way Northampton like to play.”

It’s thought Posh will revert to a three centre-back formation against a Northampton side who like to throw balls into the penalty area from all directions.

Brown looks to be a certain starter and it could be Ferguson opts for the extra physicality of Hamilton over Reed.

Reed has started the last three League One matches, but was taken off early in the second-half of last weekend’s win.

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Hamilton has not started a League One game since the opening day defeat at Accrington Stanley.

Possible Posh team: (3-4-1-2)

Pym

Thompson, Beevers, Kent.

Ward, Brown, Hamilton, Butler.

Broom

Clarke-Harris, Dembele.