Peterborough United to put improved away form to the test against Exeter's new manager bounce

Posh showed grit and determination to win away at Oxford in their last away league match and before that, played well in the Papa John’s Trophy draw at Wycombe, before losing in a meaningless penalty shootout McCann described as “the most surreal moment ever.”

Those showings have pleased McCann but he has challenged his side to continue to get even better to make sure performance levels continue to translate into picking up points.

He said: “We’ve won our last game away from home and we’ve gone to Wycombe in the Papa John’s and probably should have won that too. Those last two away performances have been really pleasing and given us something to build on. We’ve improved on it, but we still want to be better.

“I think we’ve played better and lost, particularly than in two games we have won so it swings and roundabouts. We’ve gone away to teams like Portsmouth and played very well and lost.

“We do strive for performance because we know performances will lead to wins and results but sometimes you have to fight, scrap and win ugly. We did do that particularly at Oxford when we had to stand firm; especially against ten men. Looking in, people may think that would be easier but it actually gets harder because they throw caution to the wind and go at you, they have nothing to lose.”

Posh have still only picked up nine of a possible 24 points on the road in League One this season but travel to Exeter on Saturday; having not lost against the Grecians in any of their last six meetings.

The League Two runners-up have started well in League One though, sitting 12th and having scored 28 in 17 games. Ex-Posh youngster Jevani Brown is their top scorer with eight and Sam Nombe is just behind on seven; putting the pair third and fifth in the top scoring charts- being led by Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Boss Gary Caldwell took over three games ago after Matt Taylor left to join Rotherham in the Championship. He had a tough start on paper but managed to secure a 0-0 at Pride Park in his first game, put at a strong showing in the Devon Derby, against leaders Plymouth despite losing 4-2 and win away at Port Vale in the FA Cup.

When asked about Saturday’s opponents, McCann said: “They are a strong team. They’re a team that’s been together for quite a bit. They got promoted last season so are used to winning and have started the season quite well.

“They’ve got a new manager which always makes you run more and press more for him in the early part. We’ve watched a lot of them, seen a lot of them.

"We’ve seen them against Plymouth on the TV also and they gave them a really good game so it’s another tough game.”

Jonson Clarke-Harris is fully fit again after taking a week off from training last week to recover from the injury he got through the game against Cambridge carrying.

Joe Ward and Kwame Poku remain question marks but McCann did not rule them out of contention.