Where has Peterborough United's panache gone? More damning statistics of a team in real peril, set-piece sloppiness, but one breath of fresh air

But that makes a ‘new manager’ bounce all the more difficult to understand. Luke Williams looked like he’d cracked it instantly with four wins in a row including two impressively handsome League One successes.

The combinations he employed in easy wins against Wimbledon and Stockport were self-evidently spot on. His preferred style of play and formation appeared to be well suited to an apparent ‘top six squad.’

So what has happened since? It was a disappointment to lose so tamely at home to the physically powerful time wasters of Stevenage, but to then gift victory to a Doncaster team who had slid down the table so quickly Posh would have overtaken them with a win? Well, that was a whole new level of frustration and concern.

Opponents come up with plans to combat new ideas and Posh have struggled to cope with an aggressive press and to adapt to that early pressure on the ball. As a result they missed two chances in a matter of days to escape the relegation zone of what, by common consent, is the weakest League One in recent history.

Williams said after the Doncaster defeat he was still learning about his players. One thing he will have learnt is the team that started the second half was better than the one that started the game, and that was an opinion shared by many before a ball had been kicked.

TALKING POINTS FROM DONCASTER 2, POSH 1...

1) Williams pointed out post-match that it was unfair to single out Jimmy-Jay Morgan for criticism after he’d been withdrawn at the break following a 45- minute struggle as a sole striker. The manager reminded us all he had been man-of-the-match against Stockport which was true, but as a deeper-lying forward rather than the most advanced central striker. The roles are worlds apart and it turned out to be as big a tactical error as playing Brandon Khela on the wing. It was a starting selection that raised eyebrows among supporters and media folk and it was predictably abandoned at the break.

2) Before, and even after this game, Doncaster followers were confident Posh would soon be climbing the table. It’s a common comment from opponents and yet the statistics belie such confidence. Posh lost 11 of 46 matches in their last promotion season from this level in 2020-21, but they’ve lost 11 of their first 17 matches this time around, in, remember, the worst League One of recent memory. Tables don’t lie after this many matches. This is a team in great peril, one which has been too easy to play against for the most part.

3) Posh came into this game on the back of some strong defensive form. That had been achieved in the League One games against teams with big powerful strikers, but faced with a team with more attacking mobility it was a struggle for 90 minutes. Posh were opened up too easily centrally and out wide. The Posh centre-backs don’t turn too quickly and there was precious little cover from the full-backs with Peter KIoso glaringly out of position for both Doncaster goals.

4) This was the first of six matches against teams in the bottom half of the table, but, in this season of all seasons, that might not matter too much as the gap between the top sides and the bottom half teams is pretty small. To use managerial parlance you have to be ‘on it’ from kick-off against everyone. Posh effectively lost this game in the first quarter by conceding twice to a team whose recent results suggested their own confidence would have been brittle had it been tested.

5) It’s risk and reward with Matt Garbett. He has the most natural ability in the squad, but moments of easy class yesterday were undermined by his part in the second Doncaster goal. Garbett will draw fouls and create panic in the opposition half when taking the ball on the turn, so why he felt the need to come deep to accept a pass close to his own area was hard to explain, other than Doncaster following the Stevenage example of stopping Archie Collins playing a role he is very comfortable in.

6) Declan Frith was a breath of fresh air when he came on at half-time. He was positive and direct and caused more problems in his first 15 minutes of action than any other player managed in 90 minutes. There were losses of control and a couple of iffy decisions, but he flew past opponents with ease on occasion and if he isn’t yet fit enough to play 90 minutes that needs addressing in the two upcoming cup games because he ought to be starting the next League One game at Reading.

7) Posh won four corners at Doncaster and I don’t recall a cross entering the home area from any of them, even after they had been taken short. Posh also had a free kick in a great area at 2-1 down, but an elaborate routine misfired so badly Doncaster actually missed a great chance to score a third goal from it on the breakaway.