Peterborough United centre-back on a 'proper game', a tough test and a desire to finish the season strongly
Centre-back David Okagbue was delighted to see Peterborough United hold their own against Championship-bound opposition on Easter Monday.
Posh battled well to earn a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City at the Weston Homes Stadium after Harry Leonard quickly equalised an Alex Robertson goal in the early stages of the second-half.
Posh had to do an an awful lot of defending against the team second in the League One table, but they stayed strong and intact even though they lost defensive lynchpin Tom Lees to injury just before the break. Peter Kioso replaced him in the back four and as captain.
"It was a big disappointment to lose Tom,” Okagbue told the Posh Plus service. “I was looking forward to playing alongside him again as I’ve played my best football when he’s been in the side, but PK came on and filled in really well and we got the job done in the end.
"It was a proper game. It was tough, but these are the games we want to play in. They will be a Championship side next season so it was a good test for us.
"We said beforehand how important it was to defend our box well and we did that, and then Alex Bass made some saves as he always does.
"It was a poor start to the second-half again and we have to kick that habit, but fair play to the forwards for equalising so quickly.
"We are pleased to have four of the last six games at home as it’s a special place to play. We are all determined to finish the season strongly.”
Okagbue was on the substitutes’ bench for the first 70 minutes of the Good Friday game at Luton Town after a 21-hour trip home after representing Ireland Under 21s in Kazakhstan earlier in the week.
"I’ve been sleeping a lot since,” Okagbue admitted.