'Sadness' and 'relief' among mixed feelings for Peterborough United boss as League One safety secured
Luke Williams admitted to feelings of sadness alongside relief as Peterborough United secured their survival in League One on Tuesday night (April 28).
A drab 0-0 draw at home against Mansfield was enough to move Posh four points of Exeter in 21st and make it mathematically impossible for them to be relegated this season.
The result saw Posh jump two places in the table to 17th and the highest they can finish this season is now 16th.
Williams recognised that the game was not a good spectacle for the fans, admitting that he set up his team to play that way and did not expect that anyone would have switched over from the thrilling Champions League semi final between PSG and Bayern Munich to watch it!
When asked how he felt after securing safety for a side who were bottom of the league when he took charge, Williams described the feeling as a mixture of sadness and relief.
He said: “Staying up was realistically the aim. We probably overachieved a little bit around December and gave a different feeling but we did what we needed to do tonight.
"There was ambition to fight for the team and everybody ran so hard, I’m pleased with that. I don’t think anyone would have been clicking over from PSG vs Bayern to watch it but still.
“If you set out to play how we did from the start of the season, its dangerous. You have to try to play to win but tonight was different. We had to keep a clean sheet and secure the club and lots of people’s futures and make sure that the fans can watch League One football next season.
“The DNA of the club is not to just play for a clean sheet, it’s to attack and win games but tonight was a different approach and the players did it very well. The backline was pretty solid and, from the front, David Kamara caused problems, Kyrell and Bolu ran forwards and backwards at the same speed, Harry Leonard did a job almost as a midfielder. It was a pretty good performance for that type of game.
“It’s mixed emotions. I’m feeling sad because we have shared a lot of good moments and we wasted a lot of opportunities to create more good feeling and more happiness.
"I feel very sad we did not provide more enjoyable moments and then, of course, part of me feels huge relief because this is job is tough. It’s tough when start from a level playing field and it’s even tougher when you go into a club that is in a bad position. I feel some sense of relief.
“It’s some achievement. It’s a difficult one to celebrate because you’re not on the steps of Wembley, it feels like the wooden spoon but ultimately, when I spoke to Darragh, that was the mission; to secure the club and to replace Darren Ferguson.
"I will be lucky if I get anywhere near his level. He is top, top. That shows you how tough football must be, that guy is different class. That is how precarious it can be. I’m pleased that it’s now done and we can look forward to next season.”
Williams was also complimented on his efforts to keep Posh up by Mansfield boss Nigel Clough shortly before the end of the match.
Williams added: “Nigel told me ‘well done, remember where the team were when you arrived. You’ve done a brilliant job.’ I’m fortunate to receive those words from someone with that status in the game.”
Posh end their season at home to Doncaster on Saturday (May 2, 3pm). Neither side has anything to play for, other than placings. Donny currently sit in 15rh and can finish as high as 13th with a win.