The Valiants are back on the road on Wednesday as we make the trip to the Weston Homes Stadium to take on Peterborough United.
Gaffer's Thoughts:
Here’s what Darren Moore has to say following our point at the DW Stadium:
“We could have, and probably should have taken the maximum points but their goalkeeper has made an outstanding double save. Credit to him for earning them a point.”
“I liked the way we pressed them high up the pitch and forced a lot of errors. We could have capitalised on that more, creating opportunities in their final third.”
“But overall it was a solid performance and we are always happy with a clean sheet”
The Opposition
Our hosts come into the game after winning the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Sunday. Posh captain Harrison Burrows’ brace helped his side run out 2-1 winners against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley Stadium.
In the league, Peterborough currently sit in fifth place, eight points off second place but they have two games in hand. They have lost twice in their last eight games. However, one of these losses came against recently relegated Carlisle United who beat them 3-1.
Who’s in Charge?
Darren Ferguson is in his fourth spell in charge of Peterborough United. His first stint as manager came back way back in 2007 when he was appointed as player-manager. In his two-year spell at the helm, he guided his side to consecutive promotions before being sacked in 2009 with his side at the foot of the Championship.
In January 2011, he returned to Peterborough and helped them once again reach the Championship after they beat Huddersfield Town in the Play Off Final at Old Trafford. A ground that’s synonymous with the Ferguson family. After two years in the Championship, his side was relegated in the 2013/14 season back into League One and Ferguson was eventually relieved of his duties in January 2015 with his side in 15th place in League One.
After guiding Doncaster Rovers to promotion from League Two, Ferguson once again returned to London Road in February 2019. After his first season back was curtailed due to COVID-19, he eventually led his side to another promotion to the Championship in the 2020/21 season. He then resigned in February 2022 with his side sat in 23rd place in the league.
Incredibly, Ferguson returned to Peterborough United for his fourth stint as manager in January 2023 when he signed a deal until the end of the season. He guided his Posh side to a play-off finish where despite being 4-0 up after the first leg, they dramatically lost out to Darren Moore’s Sheffield Wednesday in the Play Off Semi-Final second leg.
Despite this, Ferguson signed a three-year deal at the end of the season and has since led his side to the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and he will be hoping his side can cement a Play Off spot.
Player to Watch - Ephron Mason-Clark
The Peterborough winger has enjoyed a very productive season so far. He has found the net 14 times and set up five goals in his 38 matches played for Posh.
His productivity earned him a January move to Coventry City for an undisclosed fee, however, he was loaned back out to Peterborough United.
Another player who is enjoying a productive season is Kwame Poku. The former Colchester United man has been playing in a more attacking midfield role and has scored 11 goals and assisted nine goals in the 34 games he has played in Sky Bet League One.
Fixture Throwback
Peterborough United 2-3 Port Vale, Saturday 12th March 2016.
Peterborough took the lead after just two minutes when Jon Taylor slotted home from close range. Just before half time, Aaron Williams doubled his side's lead when he got on the end of the long ball to volley his side into a two-goal lead.
However, just after the break the Vale hit back when Byron Moore cut onto his left foot to fire into the bottom corner to give the Valiants a glimmer of hope.
In the 86th minute, Vale levelled the scores when JJ Hooper headed home Ryan McGivern’s cross at the near post. In the 89th minute, Vale completed a dramatic turnaround when Louis Dodds’ low effort deflected over the keeper and into the back of the net to send the travelling fans into raptures.
