Peterborough United shouldn't have any mental scarring from last season's horror show, plus Cobblers form guide and a referee who provided fond Posh memories

That game took place on April 5, just eight months ago, and yet the only starter from the debacle with any chance of starting on Saturday is midfielder Archie Collins, and he went off at half-time!

Winger Abraham Odoh and full-back James Dornelly also started the match, but a place on the substitutes’ bench is the best they can hope for now, while Carl Johnston and Gustav Lindgren appeared as substitutes which is likely to be their role on Saturday. Eight of the 18 on duty for Posh are still at the club.

Two of the three players who scored on that fateful day, Sam Hoskins, who scored twice, and Tom Eaves are still with Cobblers.

Posh: Jed Steer (retired), James Dornelly, Tayo Edun (now Stockport), Oscar Wallin (back in Sweden), Jadel Katongo (back at Man City), Archie Collins, Hector Kyprianou (now Watford), Abraham Odoh, Kwame Poku (now at QPR), Malik Mothersille (now at Stockport), Ricky Jade-Jones (now at St Pauli). Subs: Nick Bilokapic (on the transfer list), Carl Johnston, Manny Fernandez (now at Rangers), Ryan De Havilland (on the transfer list), Cian Hayes (injured), Mo Susoho (back at Man City), Gustav Lidgren.

COBBLERS FORM

Saturday’s visitors have kept clear of trouble so far this season, but the recent results of clubs in the bottom four, including Posh, means Kevin Nolan’s men are just five points, albeit seven places, clear of the relegation zone.

Cobblers won their last away League One game 3-0 at Plymouth before drawing 1-1 at home to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night. They have also won away at Doncaster (2-1) and Leyton Orient (1-0), but lost at Wigan (1-3), Stevenage (0-2), Wycombe (0-2) and Reading (0-1).

COBBLERS STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES Only two teams have scored fewer League One goals than Cobblers’ 17 this season. They are Port Vale (11) and Burton Albion (16). Posh have scored 21.

But only three teams have conceded fewer goals than Cobblers’ 18. They are Stevenage (12), Bolton (16) and Cardiff (17).

Top scorer in League One games is Hoskins with four followed by on-loan Manchester United striker Ethan Wheatley (3). Midfielder Cameron McGeehan scored twice against Posh in a 2-1 Cobblers win at Sixfields last season. He has scored twice this season.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

John Busby is a fine referee normally at work in the Championship, but he will always be fondly remembered at Posh for one horrendous decision in the penultimate League One game of the 2020-21 season.

Posh needed to avoid defeat at home to fellow high fliers Lincoln City to confirm automatic promotion, but that looked a forlorn hope when ‘The Imps’ went 3-0 up early in the second half. Posh rallied to 3-2, but time was running out when Busby, who had enjoyed a fine game up to that point, inexplicably awarded a penalty for an alleged foul on Sammie Szmodics. It was a shocker, but Jonson Clarke-Harris duly converted the penalty to send Posh up. Busby was promoted to the Championship for the following season when he failed to award Posh a blatant penalty in a game at Middlesbrough before awarding a key one five minutes from time to the home side!

BIG MATCH ODDS

Posh are 21-20 to beat Cobblers tomorrow with Sky Bet. The visitors are 12-5 to win with the draw at 11-5.