Peterborough United manager disappointed by approach to Carabao Cup tie as Posh bow out in the first round
A fine second-half strike from debutant Liam Sercombe won the day for the Robins who were also thankful to a terrific performance from teenage goalkeeper Josh Griffiths,
But Ferguson, who made three substitutions straight after the only goal, admitted Cheltenham deserved to win after a flat display from his own team.
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Hide Ad“Sometimes you have to credit to the opposition,” Ferguson said. “Cheltenham deserved their win, but I was surprised and disappointed by what I saw from us.
“Our approach to the game was all wrong. It was a cup tie and now we’re out. We can’t get it back.
“I don’t know why, but we were well off the pace, particularly in the first-half and Cheltenham took confidence from that and then took advantage.
“They must have had four one-on-ones and that’s too many. We had a lot of shots, but didn’t really manage to play through them.
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Hide Ad“I was making three substitutions regardless of them scoring. I just wanted to liven us up. We were so flat. The players were warned Cheltenham were a well-organised side who play good football and nothing they did surprised me.
“But we lacked intensity and players prepared to do the hard yards needed to win a game of football.
“It’s a disappointing start to the season again, just like last season.”
Posh are likely to make wholesale changes for Tuesday’s (September 8) EFL Trophy game at home to Burton Albion (7pm).