Peterborough United manager hails a big win for his team

Rhys Bennett of Peterborough United in action with Stephen Humphrys of Scunthorpe United. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Two Matt Godden goals in the second-half secured a 2-0 win at Glanford Park which kept Posh second in the League One table ahead of back-to-back home games against Accrington and Fleetwood.

But Evans was just as pleased with a clean sheet against a Scunthorpe side who had been scoring plenty of goals. Posh had not kept a clean sheet since winning at Charlton on August 21.

“This was a significant win,” Evans announced. “Questions quite rightly had been asked about this team’s capabilities after the big defeat at home to Barnsley last weekend. Everyone has an opinion these days. Some of the criticism was justified and some of it was over the top.

Posh boss Steve Evans at Scunthorpe. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“But the lads and I said the best way to answer that criticism was to win well after putting in a clinical and committed performance and we did just that against a Scunthorpe side who score plenty of goals at home.

“There are two ways to go when your team starts letting in lots of goals and that’s to make wholesale changes or to work harder with the players you have been picking.

“The size of our squad meant we had to go the down the latter route and the players responded superbly in training all week and on the pitch today.

“We have worked hard on our shape and that was obvious. It was a tough game in tough conditions against a tough team to beat so I am very pleased with the outcome. We played with great discipline throughout.

Posh striker Jason Cummings up against Rory McArdle at Scunthorpe. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“Colin Daniel was excellent today. He has had some criticism in recent weeks, but he was up against Scunthorpe’s best player (Ryan Colclough) and was outstanding.

“We didn’t play with a lot of quality in the first-half, but after the break we were back to our best. We looked a real threat on the break and Matt Godden was there again to take advantage. He’s a wonderful professional who works hard at his game and he’s getting the rewards.

“It’s only another three points, but it’s a big win as we try and keep pace with some big clubs for League One standard.”

Posh winger Marcus Maddison missed the game because of illness.

Posh are next in action at home to Accrington next Saturday (October 20). Fleetwood are at the ABAX Stadium on Tuesday, October 23).