So far so good for Peterborough United in this bizarre season, but who are the key men for the rest of the campaign? What improvements must Posh make? Who are the biggest dangers?

It’s been stop-start at times and ridiculously hectic at other times with almost all matches played in silence.

But one thing is pretty clear already - promotion is there for the taking for any team capable of overcoming an inevitable increase in illnesses and injuries to compile a string of positive results and Posh appear as well-placed as anyone to succeed.

Overall Posh Form

Posh reached the top of League One early in November by winning seven straight games. They are third now after a run of six unbeaten games. Posh reached those lofty positions despite never reaching the heights of the final 10 games of last season.

And yet Posh have scored the fifth highest (36), and conceded the fourth fewest (21), number of goals in the division so all working parts appear to be in order.

Improvements required

Posh must assume that other promotion contenders will improve so it’s important they get better themselves.

Posh have won 13 of their 23 matches so far. They are not far off manager Darren Ferguson’s goal of two points per game and yet how many of those wins have been achieved by truly dominant displays with the victory assured well before full-time?

Northampton, Bristol Rovers (away), Shrewsbury (helped by a first-half red card) and MK Dons (home) for sure, but few others. This is not a criticism per se, but with games coming thick and fast and a home playing surface likely to remain heavy for the rest of the season, a few games that don’t become a mental and physical slog would be welcome.

Posh need to dominate possession better, increase the attacking tempo and blow the weaker sides away. Winning when playing poorly is handy, but it won’t keep happening.

Better attacking set-pieces would also help.

THE GOOD BITS

Ferguson has flirted with his old love the midfield diamond and found joy at times with a 4-2-3-1 formation, but he sensibly seems likely to stick with the 3-4-2-1 system for the immediate future, from the start of games at least.

The Posh players have impressed when switching formations effectively during matches without changing personnel, but three centre-backs gives the team a much more solid look. Goalkeeper Christy Pym has barely had to make a save since the start of the year despite opponents having plenty of possession.

The defensive organisation (and ability) has been a major plus this season and the players look highly-motivated to right the wrongs of last season.

The commitment and spirit within the camp are strong. Only against Crewe and Blackpool did it waver.

Posh have now won as many as they have lost on their travels and that is a good enough record as long as the excellent form at home continues.

THE KEY MEN

It’s pointless comparing Jonson Clarke-Harris to Ivan Toney. Toney is destined for greatness, while the limit of his replacement’s ambition should be the Championship.

But the powerful forward is arguably the most important member of the current squad. If he is ever absent a completely different style of play would have to be employed, one that suits the skills and strengths of Ricky-Jade Jones as the local teenager appears to have raced past club record signing Mo Eisa in the pecking order.

Jack Taylor’s absence because of international duty would also be worrying and there are Ireland games scheduled for late March which clash with potentially key Posh matches against Accrington and Doncaster Rovers.

Niall Mason’s excellence against MK Dons recently suggests Posh have good defensive cover, although the inexperience of Dan Gyollai makes goalkeeper Christy Pym’s continued well-being crucial.

THE opposition

There are some big clubs challenging Posh for promotion, but a terrific history and a relatively huge fanbase (irrelevant this season anyway) are less important than a strong knowledge of League One.

Posh haven’t reached the play-offs in any of the last six seasons, but co-owner Darragh MacAnthony and manager Darren Ferguson know the third tier well and it shows in their recruitment.

Hull are going well because their boss Grant McCann has spent a lot of time in League One and he signed excellent players for the level in the summer.

Posh can also outbid and out-negotiate rivals with size on their side. Ipswich and Portsmouth both fancied Sammie Szmodics in the summer, but the player returned to London Road.

There are only a few days of the current transfer window left for the likes of Sunderland and Charlton - two clubs who really should be dominant in League One - to improve their rosters, something I feared would happen far sooner once the ownership of the clubs changed hands.

Charlton’s signing of big striker Jayden Stockley should help, but as things stand (and this is obviously dependent on Siriki Dembele staying) Posh have as good and as deep a squad as anyone.

Certainly as far as first-choice forwards are concerned.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if bigger threats come from clubs currently adrift of the play-off places, namely my pre-season title tip Oxford United and Blackpool.

SUMMARY

Betting on the promoted teams from League One this season is fraught with danger as there are too many imponderables, but Posh can be happy with their work in the first-half of the League One season. A strong mentality can take you a long way.