Stockport County boss wary of the 'unknown' ahead of Peterborough United clash

Posh manager Luke Williams was dismissed straight after a 2-0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers last weekend and interim boss Ryan Harley must pick a team to tackle the free-scoring Stockport team without any recognised senior central defenders apart from 18 year-old Lucca Mendonca.

On the surface it looks a great opportunity for County to shoot back into the play-off places.

But McNulty, who steered Rochdale back into the Football League last season. said: “Planning for this game has been tricky because of what has happened there this week. I don’t like the unknown and it’s very difficult to predict what a team will do without their manager. They had a cup game on Tuesday, but you can’t take anything from that because of the changes the opposition made.

"We have done a lot of work tactically on all systems we could face this season so we will have to concentrate on what we do. Teams have changed formations against us this season which could be based on respect and reputation. Luton and Leicester both went to back fives against us.

"We are trying to build something here. We want to be winners as well as entertainers and I truly believe we could have won every game we have played.”

The reality is County are ninth with three wins and three defeats from seven matches. Luton, Leicester and Blackpool have all beaten them, the latter pair won at Edgeley Park.

There are only four League One games tomorrow and next-to-bottom Posh would get out of the relegation zone with a win as the three teams above them, Doncaster, MK Dons are Notts County are not in action. Bottom club Wigan Athletic also don’t have a game.