Buy how do the current players match-up to the first-choice team from 5 years ago? That team started out in a flat back four, but ultimately switched formation with great success.
The players included in this piece are the ones we believe will eventually become the first-choice Posh team and those that featured most prominently in 2020-21.
Posh played a 3-4-2-1 system when going up, but it’s more likely to be a 3-4-1-2 formation this time around.
5. JOE WARD v PETER KIOSO
There are some whose view of Ward (pictured) is tainted by the Hillsborough play-off capitulation, but that's a daft take. Ward was a gifted right-wing back in a talented team and created many goals, usually for Jonson Clarke-Harris, with precision crosses. He mostly defended okay, but Kioso will definitely be better in that part of the role. The on-loan man should also have all the attributes to be a force when attacking from this position. He's more aggressive than Ward and more naturally positive, but his match fitness for a demanding role has to be taken on trust. It was a surprise not to see him get minutes in the Orient debacle on Tuesday night. Photo: Joe Dent
6. DAN BUTLER V JACOB MENDY
Butler (pictured) is another former player who doesn't get the respect he deserves from many. After all he started 40 games at left-back or left wing-back in a promotion-winning side. He was a doughty defender and he could whip a decent ball into the penalty area, which he continues to prove at current League One high-fliers Stevenage. Harley Mills really should be the current first-choice wing-back, but he struggled in the position on Tuesday night even though he scored so new signing Mendy might well get the nod this weekend. Mendy is unlikely to have the quality of Mills, but he will have more defensive muscle than his direct rival. Whether or not he can match Butler's contribution is another matter altogether. Photo: Joe Dent
7. JACK TAYLOR v BEN WOODS
Into central midfield we go and it's unlikely new signing Woods can match the impact of Taylor (pictured) at Posh, but then few could so it's perhaps an unfair comparison especially as Woods is yet to play for the club because of injury. Taylor wasn't a great passer of the ball, but he had presence and a big goal threat. Woods is reportedly strong physically, but also with a cultured left foot and an eye for goal which all sounds rather promising. Woods, if available, would get my vote ahead of Brandon Khela in the current starting line-up, although Khela's athleticism is similar to Taylor's. Photo: Joe Dent
8. REECE BROWN v ARCHIE COLLINS
Brown (pictured), a midfielder who was happy to sit, win possession and move the ball on quickly, was a perfect foil for the marauding Taylor. Collins does all that as well and he has a more developed all-round game. There is not a chance a central midfield of Woods and Collins would get breached as easily as Donay O'Brien-Brady and Khela did against Orient. Photo: Photo Joe Dent/theposh.com