Posh chairman backs his manager after surprising post-match comments

Williams started the match with Harry Leonard and Danny Ormerod as a strike partnership for the first time which led to a wide-open contest which finished 3-3 after 90 minutes before Posh won the penalty shootout.

Leonard and Ormerod shared the three Posh goals, but the team was overrun in midfield areas and looked vulnerable defensively, something the manager had warned about in previous interviews.

But it was a comment from Williams during a post-match interview with club media caused eyebrows to be raised. He said: “If that’s what everyone wants, two strikers, then the middle of the pitch will be empty and it’s then impossible to control the game, but I’m here to try and give everyone what they want.”

That led to a wide discussion among fans about who had actually wanted that formation as the manager didn’t seem that keen on it. MacAnthony was on social media last night saying he loved seeing two strikers on the pitch together.

But MacAnthony also responded to comments from fans on X on Wednesday afternoon. He said: “Think everybody reading way too much into interviews and two up top stuff.

"As a club we spoke during recruitment meets early summer about having two prolific type strikers in building to get into same team if and when possible (a bid for Danny at the end of May, pivoted to another striker in August when Danny looked unattainable). By the way we played most of last season with Harry/Jimmy Jay Morgan in those positions.

“The manager wasn't appeasing me. I have no interest in getting involved in that stuff. He played two up to last season so not all that bizarre on that front. Plus there are loads of formations where you get two up top and can control a midfield which I'm sure they'll figure out in coming games if they keep at it. That’s down to the experts which me, you guys and others are not.

"Nobody enjoyed how open midfield was last night or how vulnerable we were defensively so the Gaffer I'm sure is working on how to fix those things/make adjustments while allowing us to look dangerous on the goal scoring front.

"It’s a fine balance. I cant speak for a manager’s manner during interviews, but ours is always pretty much the same win, lose or draw. Nobody is working harder than Luke and his staff to fix the issues we have and to deliver the results this squad should be delivering consistently now.

“Look Luke isn't a robot. He is a human being. He is getting hammered and I've been getting hammered all summer, and some of the younger players are getting it as well. And, yes, lots of that is deserved at times (many times not) and goes with the territory when not winning football matches and the sub par start to the season in the league.

"Last night was probably exhausting to manage so I am not reading too much into post match behaviours or comments.

“Players set their own standards. We have lots of very good ones. Even the experienced ones who aren't fit must help set those standards and help every minute of every day as we turn this all around. And it will all turn around.”