Peterborough United to take no selection chances against underdogs Chorley

Peterborough United are set to name their strongest side to play against non-league Chorley in a second round FA Cup tie at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday (November 28, 5.30pm).
Sammie Szmodics in action for Posh against Blackpool last weekend. Photo: David Lowndes.Sammie Szmodics in action for Posh against Blackpool last weekend. Photo: David Lowndes.
Sammie Szmodics in action for Posh against Blackpool last weekend. Photo: David Lowndes.

Posh made six changes before beating League One rivals Oxford United in the first round earlier this month, but manager Darren Ferguson believes that decision disrupted the club’s promotion push.

Posh returned to League One action and promptly played poorly and lost two matches in a row.

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Chorley have been struggling in the National League North this season. They are 88 places below Posh in the professional football ladder.

Jonson Clarke-Harris in action for Posh against Plymouth this week. Photo: David Lowndes.Jonson Clarke-Harris in action for Posh against Plymouth this week. Photo: David Lowndes.
Jonson Clarke-Harris in action for Posh against Plymouth this week. Photo: David Lowndes.

“Giving some players a break certainly disrupted our rhythm,” Ferguson stated. “My players are probably better when they are busy so there certainly won’t be as many changes this Saturday.

“We will pick a very strong side.

“It’s an important game for us as the benefits of reaching the third round are obvious and we want to get back on a winning run.

“It’s not a game we can take lightly either. The fact Chorley beat Wigan in the first round is a good reference point for us.

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“They will play 4-4-2 with two banks of four and they will be hard to break down. We might need to be patient.

“Chorley will have nothing to lose so we must be disciplined and focused.”

Ferguson is likely to play Sammie Szmodics against Chorley as the attacking star is in desperate need of a goal. He’s scored just twice this season and is now without a goal in his last 11 League One appearances.

“Sammie will catch fire in front of goal soon enough,” Posh co-owner Darragh MacAnthony stated after the Plymouth game.

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“He played like we know he can play. His workrate, intensity and pressing were outstanding and once he scores one goal, he will score several.”

Mo Eisa is one back-up player who could start after top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris picked up an ankle injury after netting the only goal of Tuesday’s 1-0 League One win over Plymouth. Posh were expecting to learn the extent of the Clarke-Harris injury today (Thursday).