Peterborough United rock up at Oakwell on Tuesday. Obviously, the only home league game we've played at Oakwell since their last visit is the 7-0 win over Vale. The bookies have us as 8/7 favourites to take the points against a Peterborough side with two 1-0 wins to their name so far this season. On their travels, Peterborough were the 5th best side last season, with 34 points from 23 games. They had a tendency to win or lose, and finished the season on a run of 8 wins and 3 defeats on their travels in 2023. The majority of those victories were against sides from the bottom half of league 1, with their win at Oakwell and a win at Lincoln being the exceptions. They of course were hammered at Hillsborough in the play-offs, but defeated Reading on the opening day away from home since their Oakwell triumph. At Oakwell, since the turn of the century, we've played 11, won 4, drawn 2 and lost 5 to the Posh. A boxing day victory in 2018 with goals courtesy of Alex Mowatt, and Cauley Woodrow is the reds most recent home win over Posh. Anthony Backhouse is the referee. His only game this season so far was Bolton's 1-0 cup victory over Barrow last week, where he issued 4 yellow cards to each team. Last season, he took charge of games mainly in leagues 1 & 2, issuing an average of 3.4 yellow cards across 37 games. He issued just 1 red card (for Portsmouth in a win over Fleetwood). He took charge of Peterborough's 4-0 play off semi final win over Wednesday, as well as our 4-4 draw away at MK Dons, at the end of last season. This is the first big test of the season for Neill Collins' side. Historically, we've faired quite well I'm these early season Tuesday night home games, so I'm optimistic that we'll bounce back to winning ways. I'm going for 2-1 with Cole and Phillips on the scoresheet.
Defensive frailties and serious lack of cover exposed against proper opposition at this level. 4-1 Posh.
3-1 Dallas (pen, he's scored 9/11 to date.....seems we've bought a penalty taker.....smart move), Phillips, Styles.
Think our first result papered over the cracks that yesterday started to show its true self. Think we will do well to draw 1-1.
What cracks are we papering over?.We've got 4 points from 2 games with half a dozen first teamers injured,ill or suspended.
1-2... Think Posh likely to be more cohesive and they'll have some qualities that we'll struggle to defend against. Also, despite the 7-0 on the first day, not convinced we'll score that many goals with this current squad. Port Vale game was a perfect storm where there were so many good final balls met by some outstanding finishes, and they chucked the towel in. i.e. we were brilliantly clinical, but I'm not sure we'll continue to be without further quality additions. Massively hope I'm wrong.
Carbon copy of our last result against Posh, 0-2, with Kitching well on his way to Coventry, a serious lack of any defensive shape, & a lack of quality up front will see us well beaten.
The glaring lack of quality in our side. Half a dozen first team players missing?? Care to name them all? Can only think of Connell, Phillips all the rest had been in and out of the squad last season and wouldn’t refer to them as first team players and more than likely we are about to suffer more players going yet also.
Obviously I’m going glass half full but we’ve the two you mentioned, O’Keefe and the French centre half still to come in. All starters. I don’t buy the glaring lack of quality. We’ve got the best midfield in the league. Best left back in league. Competent keeper. Decent proven at this level striker in Cole. Assuming we keep them, two of the best defenders in the league in kitching and Williams. it might take a while to click (and the new manager might not be any good) but I think to suggest we are lacking quality is wrong. I predict a draw but I won’t be too worried if it’s not.
We’ll win. We’ve got some bloody good League One players and Phillips can pop up with a goal or assist any time. A tight but deserving 1-0 win. I think we’re being hugely underestimated this season. Whilst some maybe still will be missing on Tuesday, Roberts, Williams, Cadden, O’Keefe, Kitch, Connell, Kane, Phillips, Benson, Cole are all quality players at this level. I’ve left out Styles as I’m certain he’s offski. Others will improve and I’ve a very good feeling about the new coaching team. 1-0 TO THE BARN-SER-LEY!
I've got a bad feeling about this one. Think we'll go 1-0 down early on and the crowd will get restless. We'll then huff and puff without really getting anywhere, and they'll add another late on. However, I don't think it'll be remotely season-defining, in that we'll bounce back on Saturday and beat Oxford easily. I fully expect us to be around 6th to 8th by the middle of October, after which we'll have a settled side and start properly motoring, just like last season but a bit earlier.
I'm predicting that our poor recruitment will come home to roost. Posh's attacking verve and speed will be too much for us. 3-1 Posh.