Peterborough United have been deserted by Lady Luck, surprising selections, players hitting form and a terrific 70-minute display of attacking football

Deflected shots have flown into the Posh net at regular intervals and even a first home win of the season courtesy of 70 minutes of terrific attacking football had some gloss removed by the end. Not so much by the alarming late collapse in defensive form and confidence as that just harmed the goal difference, but by news of two potentially serious injuries to forward players. There is no doubt Chris Conn-Clarke is out for a long time because of a shoulder issue that required immediate hospital attention and if the damage to the ankle of Ricky-Jones is a ligament problem that is not usually a short-term absence.

Both players had looked sharp in their time on their pitch. Conn-Clarke only managed 20 minutes, but he was revelling in a free role, causing issues with his movement and always looking to play forward, while Jones was simply outstanding in his 57 minutes on the pitch. He delivered a display of raw pace, unselfish hard work and power pressing which was capped by his first League One goal of the season.

Posh had a relatively free run with injuries last season. They appear to be paying for that this term with Rio Adebisi, Ryan De Havilland and Hector Kyprianou also spending time on the sidelines in a season just six League One games old.

OTHER TALKING POINTS FROM POSH 3, BRISTOL ROVERS 2….

1) The final scoreline confirmed a change of formation to three centre-backs, a pair of wing-backs and two central strikers worked better offensively rather than defensively. Posh were outstanding in the first-half in a system that allowed them to send speedy and mobile players into forward positions with freedom. They swarmed all over Rovers and regularly got in behind them by passing forward more quickly than we’ve seen all season. The visitors struggled to contain Conn-Clarke and Jones, while finding Kwame Poku too hot to handle. Poku moved to a more central role which suited his ability to go either way into space. He can be restricted on the wing by defenders who double up to stop him going inside on to his left foot. The two injuries Posh suffered will probably force Poku back into a wide role at Leyton Orient on Tuesday unless Ferguson is prepared to recall summer signing CIan Hayes and start someone who has not been in the last two matchday squads.

2) There’s also a chance Posh will revert to a flat back four at Orient. The three centre-backs were all very comfortable until Rovers sent on two strong and quick forward substitutes, and one sloppily conceded goal followed quickly by another, caused a defensive implosion when all organisation in the middle and desire to stop crosses out wide disappeared. Without Jones on the pitch Posh also couldn’t get out which meant the final 20 minutes became a horrible watch. If goalkeeper Jed Steer hadn’t come up with two top saves in added time lord only knows what losing a three-goal lead would have done to the morale of the latest batch of Posh youngsters. Interestingly Posh boss Darren Ferguson suggested after the game his experienced number one could have done more to ease the obvious panic that had set in, in front of him.

3) Recalling transfer-listed David Ajiboye for his first League One start of the season was a strange one. It must have been position specific with young James Dornelly perhaps not up to speed with a wing-back role. On-loan Sheffield United teenager Sam Curtis could play there, but he was rested after a heavy recent workload. To be fair to Ajiboye he was very good when Posh were on top in the first-half, but he visibly flagged in the second-half and a weak challenge at the far post and then the failure to cut out a cross were factors in the Rovers goals. He then conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position before Ferguson could get him off. It’s doubtful Posh would have conceded the first goal with Curtis on the pitch.

4) I’m not sure Posh will thrive for a second successive season without a left-footed centre-back. They signed teenager George Nevett to play there, but he wasn’t in the squad again yesterday even though two right-backs were on the substitutes’ bench. Age never stops Posh picking players to start for the first team so one can only assume he’s not quite ready.

5) Jack Sparkes was a regular contributor to Portsmouth goals last season with his set-piece deliveries. He doesn’t quite have so many big chaps to aim the ball at this season, but he landed one perfectly on the head of Jones six yards from goal yesterday, which didn’t lead to a goal, just before he created Malik Mothersille’s goal with a lovely chipped past. Promising signs that the left-back is finding his best form.

6) Ferguson wasn’t enamoured with the performance of referee Farai Hallam yesterday, but a man officiating his first League One game did okay in my book. There were a couple of questionable holding decisions that went against Posh, but he also played two terrific advantages in the home side’s favour and wasn’t always fooled by the irritating defensive flops designed to relieve pressure. The 10 minutes added on at the end of the game felt spot on to me as well given injuries to Jones and Jadel Katongo, plus a sit down by Steer when Posh had been under pressure.