TALKING POINTS: ‘The Comeback Kings, Fergie won the tactical battle convincingly, Pym saves the day, a great set of results and does Dembele get back into the side?’

Peterborough United didn’t win a single League One game after falling behind last season.
Jonson Clarke-Harris celebrates his goal for Posh against Ipswich. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Jonson Clarke-Harris celebrates his goal for Posh against Ipswich. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Jonson Clarke-Harris celebrates his goal for Posh against Ipswich. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Last night (February 9) they conceded early against Ipswich Town, but hit back to win more comfortably than a 2-1 final scoreline would suggest.

That’s five times this season Posh have come from behind and won, and four of them have been against teams tipped to enjoy strong League One seasons, namely Fleetwood, Hull City, Charlton Athletic and now the Tractor Boys. The other team to poke the bear was Swindon Town.

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It suggests the current squad is not short of fight, desire and commitment, There is no downing tools when things are going against them and given there is no London Road crowd to help them it was a pretty impressive stat produced on the final whistle last night by BBC Cambs commentator Sam Edwards.

Dan Butler of Peterborough United in action against Ipswich Town. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Dan Butler of Peterborough United in action against Ipswich Town. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Dan Butler of Peterborough United in action against Ipswich Town. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

You’ll note that four of those comeback wins were played out at Fortress London Road. If Posh can sort out their comparatively poor away form automatic promotion might not be beyond them.

Other talking points from last night...

1) Ipswich were fooled into paying too much attention to the Posh pitch. They apparently changed their game plan to hit the ball long to two strikers rather than to stick to their normal passing game which they expected to flounder on a pitch that looks worse than it actually plays. To be fair for 15 minutes or so, while James Norwood was fit enough to run around and cause havoc, it looked a decent tactic, but playing a midfield diamond (a passing formation) and then bypassing central areas was baffling, especially against a team with wingbacks who were both left to run amok. It was a surprise it took Ipswich until half-time to change formation and Darren Ferguson definitely won the tactical battle.

2) It was a shock to see the hoof down the middle work, even briefly against a team with three solid centre-backs, and Posh will face more of the same at Blackpool on Saturday. Pool, whose scheduled match was postponed last night, will have noted Nathan Thompson’s unease in the early stages of last night, although he and his fellow defenders went on to play very well.

Posh striker Sammie Szmodics saw this shot saved by Ipswich 'keeper Tomas Holy. Photo: David Lowndes.Posh striker Sammie Szmodics saw this shot saved by Ipswich 'keeper Tomas Holy. Photo: David Lowndes.
Posh striker Sammie Szmodics saw this shot saved by Ipswich 'keeper Tomas Holy. Photo: David Lowndes.
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3) It’s quite the skill for a goalkeeper to have nothing to do and then still produce an excellent save when needed. Christy Pym, who was partially at fault for the Ipswich goal early on, was redundant for the rest of the game until a last-minute corner fell kindly at Troy Parrott’s feet. The strike was clean, but Pym made the save to seal the three points Posh deserved.

4) It was a disappointment to see Siriki Dembele’s name absent from the teamsheet, but he wasn’t missed such was the Posh dominance of the ball (57%-43%, a whopping 65%-35% in the first-half). Dembele’s replacement Mo Eisa looked sharp in his place leaving manager Darren Ferguson with a selection puzzle for Blackpool, presuming Dembele is fit. Dembele’s pace and skill for counter attacks should be preferred against a home team who will be positive, but Ferguson needs to try something different to improve away results and performances so don’t be surprised if Eisa is preferred. Did Posh keep the ball better last night because dribble king Dembele was out of action?

5) There was concern two matches in four days on the gruelling London Road playing surface would be a fitness and stamina test too far for the Posh players. It didn’t which is credit to the fitness team and the recovery work between matches. Sammie Szmodics and Jonson Clarke-Harris led the way up front and Dan Butler was back to his ‘Energizer Bunny’ best.

6) Apart from Portsmouth’s predictable home win over struggling Swindon, Posh couldn’t have asked for a better set of League One results last night. The top two Hull and Lincoln slugged themselves to a 0-0 standstill, while Doncaster, Sunderland and Accrington all lost. Improving Oxford won again, but they are still nine points behind Posh.