Promotion-chasing Posh are ready to kick on again

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson and his assistant Mark Robson at Blackpool. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Posh need to gain revenge for an opening day defeat at Accrington to ensure they retain second place in League One. Two poor results on the road at Rochdale (3-3) and Blackpool (1-3) in the last week have given hope to the chasing pack.

But Posh have been outstanding at home all season (14 wins and two defeats from 16 matches) and six of their final 10 matches are at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Ferguson said: “I’ve had a good chat with the players about the plans for moving forward and everyone seems to be in good fettle.

“The challenge ahead is obvious, but we know we are capable of going on another good run. It needs to start tomorrow though and that that won’t be easy as we are facing a talented, well managed side.

“They deserved to beat us in the first game of the season. We were poor on the day, but it was a surreal game given the circumstances of no crowds etc.

“Accrington are right in the play-of mix, but it really is all about how we play. We must encourage each other from start to finish. We must be at it from the start with good energy levels from the first kick off.

“We must stay strong and stay together. Even the biggest clubs will have a blip. We are going through ours now, but hopefully it comes to an end tomorrow.

Ferguson has appeared to pull back from his post-Blackpool threat of multiple chhanges to his starting line-up tomorrow.

There must be a chance for Harrison Burrows to replace Dan Butler, if Posh stick with wing-backs, but the teenager might also be required to step in for forward Siriki Dembele if his back problems rule him out.

Ferguson added: “A first thought after a bad performance is to change the players, but it’s not as simple as that.

“I will pick the formation and players I believe can hurt Accrington. I know in mu mind what I will do.”

Posh form has been a real mixed bag this season. They’ve twice won six matches in a row and on both occasions it led them to the top of the table, most recenty at the end of February.

But they’ve followed the winning streaks with runs of one win in five matches and the current run of one win in six matches