Peterborough United haven't looked this underprepared since...well this time last year, plus a plan for Archie Collins

The real show starts next weekend and Posh haven’t looked this underprepared since…..well this time last year when a squad hampered by injury, and the inadequate replacement of decent players, was forced to start a competitive season with one transfer listed player, and four others who would be made available for sale nine months later, in the first starting XI.

It could easily happen again. Injuries are likely to keep a pair of experienced centre-backs out of next week’s starting line-up, but it could include Chris Conn-Clarke who no-one else, not even clubs in the National League, appears to want even though he’s been for sale for a year or so. It’s also not hard to envisage some who played against West Brom yesterday becoming surplus to requirements next May.

No wonder Posh fans are fearing the worst. They’ve seen this movie before. It was almost a recipe for disaster last season until Alex Bass returned to fitness and the cavalry arrived in the form of new signings Harry Leonard, Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Matty Garbett, albeit a month into the season.

Posh, bolstered by Kyrell Lisbie money, appear to be playing the same game again. New men were expected to arrive at the Weston Homes Stadium before ‘The Baggies’, but it didn’t happen. Will they turn up before former boss Steve Evans gets the chance to upset his former club in a cup tie next weekend? Who knows? I doubt even Darragh MacAnthony and Barry Fry know for sure. If new men do turn up they need to be of the calibre of last year’s August arrivals or panic really will set in.

OTHER TALKING POINTS…

1) I wonder if giving Archie Collins a contract until the end of the transfer window is viable? Posh and the midfielder would be doing each other a favour if it was possible. GIve Collins the chance to prove his fitness and form to potential suitors, while giving Posh the opportunity to stop playing Carl Johnston in midfield and let him return to his rightful place of right-back. Of course the threat of injury to Collins would likely make a deal impossible. I heard yesterday his agent was asking for £15k a week for his client which might explain why he hasn’t been snapped up yet.

2) It’s tough for trialists to impress when they get half an hour at the end of matches to stake a claim, but apparently there’s a chance Wanya Marçal might win himself a Posh deal. He surely hasn’t shown enough in matches to be so rewarded, but maybe he’s impressed the management team in training. Or maybe Posh are getting anxious themselves about squad strength now that Lisbie has gone and Marçal is seen as a quick fix. We will find out soon enough.

3) There has been the usual vagueness re the return to action of injured Posh players, but the club were honest in saying Sam Hughes and Tom O’Connor would be seen on the London Road turf yesterday. They did some running and some ball work on Saturday, but didn’t take part in the match against West Brom which presumably must rule them out if the trip to Rovers.

4) JJ Morgan looked sharp in his active hour or so on his return to London Road yesterday. He looked quick, he pressed hard and linked up well with his new Championship standard teammates. I am yet to be convinced he will shine in the hurly burly of the Championship, but I hope I am wrong.