Peterborough United manager hails an outstanding team display full of commitment and togetherness, but there could be changes for the Charlton game

All Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson’s wishes came true today (January 16) as his side cruised past a strong MK Dons side at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Jonson Clarke-Harris fires Posh ahead against MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.Jonson Clarke-Harris fires Posh ahead against MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.
Jonson Clarke-Harris fires Posh ahead against MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.

Posh scored three goals - Sammie Szmodics ended his personal goal drought with two of them - they kept a clean sheet, they were ruthless, Siriki Dembele was back to his dazzling best and the team showed the sort of togetherness and commitment which will stand them in good stead as the League One promotion race hots up.

Posh stayed fifth as most of the teams around them also won, but they are now just three points outside the automatic promotion places after second-placed Hull were held at home by Blackpool. Posh have a game in hand on Hull.

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“I’m very happy tonight,” Ferguson said. “It was a very good performance against a very good side and there were many aspects of the display that really pleased me.

Sammie Szmodics celebrates his first Posh goal against MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.Sammie Szmodics celebrates his first Posh goal against MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.
Sammie Szmodics celebrates his first Posh goal against MK Dons. Photo: David Lowndes.

“I asked the team (after last week’s draw at Lincoln) to be more ruthless and today we were very clinical. Sammie is back scoring goals as I knew he soon would be and we were excellent defensively. We had to play with 10 men for 10 minutes when Frankie Kent went off, but the boys stayed organised and they didn’t really hurt us.

“We needed to be better than we were at MK recently and we were. We pressed aggressively from the front on a pitch which makes it difficult to play out from the back and we dominated the early stages.

“We scored a good goal to get in front and the second goal was crucial. Sammie took it very well. It wasn’t an easy chance and then the third goal in the second-half killed them off. They had a lot of the ball as we knew they would. but they rarely hurt us. The spirit and togetherness from the group was outstanding. We are in a very good place at the moment.”

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Posh are now unbeaten in six competitive matches ahead of a tough League One home game against sixth-placed Charlton Athletic on Tuesday (January 19, 6.30pm).

Ferguson might make changes in that game. Experienced defender Nathan Thompson is available again after suspension, but his replacement today, Niall Mason, delivered an outstanding display.

“I’ve told the players to go full tilt for an hour because with five substitutes available it makes it easier for me to keep the side fresh and full of energy,” Ferguson added.

“I’d rather an hour at full pace than 90 minutes at half pace and I’m going to have to manage the squad carefully from now on.

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“Wing-backs have to do so much running I’m very grateful to have four very good ones and I told Idris Kanu and Harrison Burrows, who didn’t play today, they have proved they are important members of the squad and we are playing on heavy pitches so it will be nigh on impossible to keep playing the same players in every game.

“The break we had over Christmas has done us good.”

Kent needed several stitches in a deep cut beside his eyer after a clash of heads with Mason, but there was no concussion so the centre-back should be available for the Charlton match.