REACTION: Posh boss credits substitutes for the win and he’s banned the ‘p’ word from the dressing room

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson insisted his substitutes won today’s bruising League One clash against Wigan Athletic at the Weston Homes Stadium (February 27).
Posh celebrate their winning goal against Wigan. Photo: David Lowndes.Posh celebrate their winning goal against Wigan. Photo: David Lowndes.
Posh celebrate their winning goal against Wigan. Photo: David Lowndes.

Posh were trailling 1-0 to a fluke goal direct from a corner when Ferguson sent on the cavalry in the shape of Ethan Hamilton, Harrison Burrows and Mo Eisa.

Eisa and Burrows were soon combining to create an equaliser for top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris with less than 10 minutes to go and a couple of minutes later the in-form striker netted the winner from the penalty spot.

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Posh are now four points clear at the top of League One and five points ahead of third-placed Hull City having played two fewer matches.

Siriki Dembele of Peterborough United takes on Gavin Massey of Wigan Athletic. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Siriki Dembele of Peterborough United takes on Gavin Massey of Wigan Athletic. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Siriki Dembele of Peterborough United takes on Gavin Massey of Wigan Athletic. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

But the ‘P’ (for ‘promotion’) word won’t be passing Ferguson’s lips just yet.

“Nothing is won in February and March,” Ferguson stated. “Our aim hasn’t changed since the start of the season and all I will say now is we are in a good place. We are not getting carried away. We are focussing on the next game now.

“This was a fantastic win. We let ourselves get frustrated in the first-half when we were far too frantic. We were better in the second-half, but when we conceded a fluke goal it looked like a tough game to win.

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“But credit my players as they found a way again. That’s seven games now when we have come from behind to win. To score twice in the last 10 minutes shows the character and attitude of the players and you need to that to be successful.

Jonson Clarke-Harris of Peterborough United celebrates scoring the winning goal against Wigan. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Jonson Clarke-Harris of Peterborough United celebrates scoring the winning goal against Wigan. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Jonson Clarke-Harris of Peterborough United celebrates scoring the winning goal against Wigan. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“The subs won this game for us. I had to gamble when we fell behind so we played three defenders and pushed two wing-backs high up the pitch. And Mo Eisa and Harrison Burrows played a lovely 1-2 before Harrison sent over a cross so perfect Jonson couldn’t miss. Then Dembele does what he does. He beat his man was tripped up for a clear penalty.

“It was as tough a game as I expected. Wigan are fighting for their lives. They were not going to turn up and give us the points. We became too frantic, there was too much moaning at a referee, including from me, who let them commit 17 first-half fouls without issuing a caution. I had to tell the players to stay calm and assume he was going to give us nothing and they responded well to be fair.

“You can over-analyse the game, but in the end one piece of quality and a determination not to get beaten was enough.”

Posh are next in action at play-off chasing Oxford United on Tuesday (March 2, 7pm).