Peterborough United talking points from a win in a competition that shouldn’t even be taking place cover the state of the playing surface, the need for power, Joe Ward, Siriki Dembele, Sammie Szmodics and squad management

Short-term it can be classed as a resounding success. Posh won 5-1 to boost their confidence, certainly in front of goal, and players who have been horribly short of match practice now have two games under their belts before they set off on a frantic run of fixtures.

But last night’s win means Posh are now facing competitive games on each of the next eight Tuesdays and if the pitches stay heavy and uneven that will test the fitness and strength of the entire squad.

To be frank the Trophy would have been scrapped this season by a governing body with any foresight. So far five midweek dates have been spent on a competition few care about when they could have been used to get ahead with League One fixtures as a fool, or even a politician, could have predicted delays and postponements were very likely for the second season in a row.

Other talking points from last night..

1) The state of the London Road playing surface is a concern. It cut up rough quickly last night and it’s not what the players or management want to see.

But Posh manager Darren Ferguson defended the work of the club’s groundstaff. He said: “We had a serious issue with the drainage which no-one could have known about, We have had terrible problems as underneath the surface there was a flood and then a pipe burst. Our staff have worked incredibly hard just to get the pitch into a playable condition and it will get better.”

2) Posh actually have players who could still perform strongly on poor surfaces. Indeed Ethan Hamilton could well knock Reece Brown out of the starting line-up if the pitches stay bad as he’s bigger and stronger. Hamilton was still full of running when others had cried enough last night. He and Jack Taylor would be a physically powerful combination if the playing surface becomes a factor. Brown’s passing hasn’t been anywhere near good enough to guarantee a place in the side for most of this season.

3) Ferguson re-iterated his belief that his entire squad will be needed now Posh are set to embark on a run of 16 matches in 56 days, but keeping everyone happy until they are called upon won’t be easy. There was no place in an 18-man squad for Louis Reed, Frazer-Blake Tracy, Serhat Tasdemir, Flynn Clarke and summer signing Ryan Broom last night. Ronnie Edwards was unavailable. It was a tough call for Ferguson to leave EFL Trophy regulars out of his starting line-up and if those players don’t leave during the transfer window the management must work hard to keep them motivated and ready for when they are required.

4) Joe Ward should start as the right wing-back against MK Dons on Saturday even if he doesn’t last 90 minutes. Idris Kanu is as quick and as strong as Ward, but the latter’s crossing ability and decision-making when reaching the opposition penalty area is currently superior. Ward even set up a goal with a well-delivered set-piece last night and that hasn’t happened very often this season.

5) Siriki Dembele hasn’t been playing well lately and he’s copped stick from all directions, especially since announcing he wants to leave the club. It’s easy to forget, but Posh probably wouldn’t be as high as fifth without Dembele’s sparkling form earlier in the season. He irritates greatly at times, but in a side struggling for an attacking spark in League One matches it’s tough to leave him out even when he deserves it. Dembele’s attitude was spot-on last night so hopefully the penny has dropped and he realises hard work and top form is the best way to secure a move. The fact that Ricky-Jade Jones was a substitute last night suggests Dembele will start again against MK Dons.

6) Sammie Szmodics stayed on for 90 minutes against Pompey and I’m sure part of the reason why was his desperate need for a goal. Sadly he never had a sniff, but his workrate and effort levels remain high so if there is any justice a scoring run is just around the corner.