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.
9. SAMMIE SZMODICS v MATT GARBETT
Szmodics (pictured) was a star at Posh. He was part of an awesome front three who gelled magnificently for more than one season together. Szmodics tended to play behind a sole striker and caused havoc with well-timed runs into the opposition penalty area. It seems unfair to put a man with one Posh start up against Szmodics, but Garbett looked a cut above League One level for 45 minutes at Exeter so he could well turn out to another top talent. Photo: Joe Dent
10. SIRIKI DEMBELE v HARRY LEONARD
Dembele (pictured) was a silky-skilled attacker who joined Szmodics and Clarke-Harris in a formidable front 3. He scored 11 goals in the promotion-winning season compared to 15 for Szmodics and a ridiculous 31 for Clarke-Harris. Leonard has just arrived at Posh and is likely to be part of a front 2 with either Gustav Lindgren or fellow new arrival Jimmy-Jay Morgan. If the reported £1 million transfer fee is correct you'd hope Leonard would outscore Dembele and get close to Szmodics, but he won't have players of that quality alongside him. Klaidi Lolos is another capable of playing off a striker, but he's shown little form at Posh yet. Photo: Joe Dent
11. JONSON CLARKE-HARRIS v GUSTAV LINDGREN
Clarke-Harris (pictured) revelled in the high number of quality crosses Posh used to put into the penalty area. He also fed off the skills of those around him. Lindgren appears to be a first-choice Posh striker even though there is little evidence to support his inclusion. He will get better with someone alongside him we are now told. It's true the service to him has generally been abysmal, but he's been missing the chances that have come his way. Should be under pressure for his place if newcomer Jimmy-Jay Morgan shows any sort of form. Photo: Joe Dent
12. BATTLE OF THE BENCHES
The most used Posh subs in 2020-21 were: Ethan Hamilton (21, pictured), Mo Eisa (21), Ricky-Jade Jones (14), Harrison Burrows (13) and Idris Kanu and Ryan Broom (10 apiece). The most likely effective subs this season could be Lolos, Morgan, Carl Johnston, Harley Mills, Khela and Cian Hayes. Photo: Joe Dent