Hungry Ted reminded me that we should have expected an uncomfortable evening against rock-bottom Posh, and he was proven correct. We were slightly fortunate to emerge with the three points and very lucky to have kept a clean sheet. For all that that we are up to 13th and are within five points of fifth placed Millwall who won again this evening at Wolves. Saturday is going to be a huge test for our side.
It was great to see Yann Kermorgant starting this evening in the striking berth alongside Ricardo Fuller although Fuller looks highly doubtful for the New Den having limped off after cracking the opening goal after 75 minutes. Manny Frimpong started again in central midfield alongside Johnny Jackson and it was Kerkar and Pritchard on the wings. Seaborne returned at left back to join Cort, Morrison and Solly in front of Hamer.
The game got off to a lively start and Yann Kermorgant was inches away from a wonder goal on his full return within the opening minutes when he seized a long ball, turned and launched a long range cross-shot which just didn't have enough height to beat Olejnik in the Peterborough goal. We were much more positive going forward in the first-half than against Huddersfield but we also looked more susceptible at the back. Gayle found space in a good position and it took a decent stop from Hamer to deny him. We weren't making enough progress on either flank and Seaborne looked uneasy at the back. With half-time approaching, Posh should have taken the lead when they got one on one with Hamer but Big Ben stood up and pulled off a great diving save to deny them.
After the break and kicking towards the Covered End, we upped our game and Solly began to get much further forward. Peterborough were struggling and we began to create chances. However, they were always happy to break and George Boyd played a stormer on the break ably supported by Lee Tomlin. I kept expecting us to go one down in order to provoke a response but Lady Luck was with us and we survived a few scares, most notably when Hamer dived low to his right to get a hand on a low shot and see it around the post.
Then, almost from nowhere Ricardo Fuller conjured a goal. He collected a hopeful looking ball 20 yards out running across goal and launched a shot from an awkward angle to his body. It didn't look like he could have got much purchase on it but the ball accelerated away and scorched beyond Olejnik. The contortion required left Fuller in a crumpled heap and he left the field clutching his hamstring. It was probably what we had to do in order to break the deadlock.
After that we looked much more comfortable and the second goal wasn't long in coming. An overlapping cross from Green (I think) was under-hit goal-ward by Hulse and it stopped at the foot of the post with Olejnik stranded. The French Assassin didn't wait for an invitation to pounce and finish it off.
The crowd looked very similar to some of our earlier season midweek games where it was posted at 15-odd thousand and with a paltry Posh turn-out of 300 or so, the 17,377 official gate failed my credibility test. I am now firmly in the "they are spoofing it" camp but won't complain if new investment is ultimately forthcoming.
On to Millwall then where we will need to be far better than this and at our away-day best if we are to get anything. We will also have to do it without our inspirational skipper - Michael Morrison picked up his fifth booking of the season and will be suspended.
It was great to see Yann Kermorgant starting this evening in the striking berth alongside Ricardo Fuller although Fuller looks highly doubtful for the New Den having limped off after cracking the opening goal after 75 minutes. Manny Frimpong started again in central midfield alongside Johnny Jackson and it was Kerkar and Pritchard on the wings. Seaborne returned at left back to join Cort, Morrison and Solly in front of Hamer.
The game got off to a lively start and Yann Kermorgant was inches away from a wonder goal on his full return within the opening minutes when he seized a long ball, turned and launched a long range cross-shot which just didn't have enough height to beat Olejnik in the Peterborough goal. We were much more positive going forward in the first-half than against Huddersfield but we also looked more susceptible at the back. Gayle found space in a good position and it took a decent stop from Hamer to deny him. We weren't making enough progress on either flank and Seaborne looked uneasy at the back. With half-time approaching, Posh should have taken the lead when they got one on one with Hamer but Big Ben stood up and pulled off a great diving save to deny them.
After the break and kicking towards the Covered End, we upped our game and Solly began to get much further forward. Peterborough were struggling and we began to create chances. However, they were always happy to break and George Boyd played a stormer on the break ably supported by Lee Tomlin. I kept expecting us to go one down in order to provoke a response but Lady Luck was with us and we survived a few scares, most notably when Hamer dived low to his right to get a hand on a low shot and see it around the post.
Then, almost from nowhere Ricardo Fuller conjured a goal. He collected a hopeful looking ball 20 yards out running across goal and launched a shot from an awkward angle to his body. It didn't look like he could have got much purchase on it but the ball accelerated away and scorched beyond Olejnik. The contortion required left Fuller in a crumpled heap and he left the field clutching his hamstring. It was probably what we had to do in order to break the deadlock.
After that we looked much more comfortable and the second goal wasn't long in coming. An overlapping cross from Green (I think) was under-hit goal-ward by Hulse and it stopped at the foot of the post with Olejnik stranded. The French Assassin didn't wait for an invitation to pounce and finish it off.
The crowd looked very similar to some of our earlier season midweek games where it was posted at 15-odd thousand and with a paltry Posh turn-out of 300 or so, the 17,377 official gate failed my credibility test. I am now firmly in the "they are spoofing it" camp but won't complain if new investment is ultimately forthcoming.
On to Millwall then where we will need to be far better than this and at our away-day best if we are to get anything. We will also have to do it without our inspirational skipper - Michael Morrison picked up his fifth booking of the season and will be suspended.
Cheers for the mention, Dave!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a comfortable night but at least we ground out a result. We've played better than that and lost this season.
Very disappointed that Morro will be out Saturday. That's a huge blow.
Ted - I think Morrison is a killer blow for Saturday. I cannot see any prospect of a clean sheet and we may wilt under pressure. I think we will need to score twice for a point and without Haynes and Fuller that's a big ask for Kermo and Hulse, especially if we play one up front.
ReplyDeleteI was saying to Ketts before the game that leaving Morrison out would have been politic in order to avoid that booking. It was pointed out to me by another that winning against P'boro was key as well. However, I would have favoured Devite or Taylor coming in last night and facing them rather than having to face Millwall. A tactical error on CP's part in my view.
ReplyDelete(And after seeing our new full back perform at the Valley, I would also prefer to see Devite at left back against Millwall and Taylor in the middle unless Wilson is fit to return).