The problems the Peterborough United recruitment team need to solve to build a competitive squad
If, by some miracle, Posh have off-loaded their unwanted eight players before the start of the season, it would free up some much-needed salary cap space.
And boy it looks like Posh will need it. Presuming the transfer-listed crew don’t return to first-team plans there are currently 17 contracted players in the Posh squad.
Two of those – injured defenders Sam Hughes and Rio Adebisi – didn’t play a single game last season. In fact Hughes has started just 22 matches in the last two seasons of his career, while Adebisi has experienced just 12 minutes of action in that time. It’s a big ask to expect either of them to be up and running ready for next season. For the formation Posh deployed last season they need a goalkeeping back-up to Alex Bass, at least one more centre-back, a couple of central midfielders, a pair of wingers and a couple of strikers as only Harry Leonard is currently of League One standard. Leonard finished fifth highest scorer in the division with 16 goals last term, a fine effort given the haphazard service he endured.
Posh boss Luke Williams is on the record as saying his favourite playing formation is 3-4-3 which involves three centre-backs, four midfielders including two wing-backs, and three mobile forwards. It’s the manager’s way of dominating possession and pressing high to win the ball back if it’s lost. Williams used his system with great effect at National League level with Notts County when he had a prolific marksman in Macaulay Langstaff – he potentially has another one of that ilk in Leonard.
But Posh don’t yet have a natural wing-back, unless the unnamed left-back who has already agreed to come to the club can operate in that position. The Williams’ formation would presumably lessen the need to sign out and out wingers.
Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony wants 10 Academy players in the squad and he currently has seven – James Dornelly, Harley Mills, Lucca Mendonca, Bolu Shofowoke, David Kamara, Pemi Aderoju and Pat Sykut – which is arguably too many already. Goalkeeper Bastien Smith has been offered an under 21 contract so that would be eight if he is again the main back-up to Bass.
Posh also don’t want a bloated squad so two players for each position would be the maximum so having three left-backs at the club (new signing included) seems bizarre.
It’s going to take some serious juggling to make that happen, and some strong recruitment to make it work.
The sale of Matty Garbett has been mooted which could help bring in players – the large club debt permitting – but it would also be risky to lose a second top-rank midfielder after the departure of Archie Collins.
Good luck to all involved in the process. They are going to need it to make Posh competitive again.
Posh squad
Goalkeeper: Alex Bass.
Right-backs: Carl Johnston, James Dornelly.
Left-backs: Harley Mills, Rio Adebisi.
Centre-backs: Sam Hughes, David Okagbue, Lucca Mendonca.
Central midfielders: Matty Garbett, Ben Woods, Brandon Khela.
Wingers: Kyrell Lisbie, Bolu Shofowoke.
Forwards: Harry Leonard, David Kamara, Pemi Aderoju, Pat Sykut.