Can Peterborough finally break their curse?

As Peterborough United have reached the halfway point of their pre-season schedule, there is reason for both hope and concern. Following a spell of success on the pitch, the last few years have seen Posh struggle to regain the momentum and belief they once had and the club has tried and failed to return to the Championship. Despite a clear downturn in their fortunes, the Posh are still in the hunt for that elusive League One title, can they do it? Full Time takes a look.

Peterborough United have for recent years been one of the highest scoring clubs in the whole of the Football League and having been a fan throughout this period, I can admit that London Road, or the ABAX stadium as it is now called, is an exciting place to be on a matchday. Last season could be categorised with numerous superlatives, but there was an evident and damning capitulation during January and February last season that saw the club plummet from a promising promotion chasing outfit, to a leaking and disorganized rabble attempting to avoid relegation. Perhaps that’s an overstatement, but the dismal run that prevailed saw manager Graham Westley lose his job and now, with ex-captain Grant McCann in the helm, there is some cause for optimism.

McCann has made a number of signings in this summer window – Brad Inman, Ryan Tafazolli, Andrew Hughes, Gwion Edwards, Matty Stevens and Hayden White with also last season loanee Callum Elder on the cusp of a return. In early pre-season games, Tafazolli, Hughes, Edwards and Inman all look to be promising acquisitions, but it has been some of Posh’s younger starlets who have really impressed early on. Leo Da Silva Lopes and Callum Chettle for instance have started off in roaring fashion with Lopes running the first 60 minutes from holding midfield against Championship side Norwich last weekend, and was the bright spark in Tuesday evening’s loss to a West Ham XI. Likewise, Chettle has been adventurous and workmanlike, turning defence into attack with his tidiness on the ball and a keen eye for a pass. Lopes himself has had numerous scouts from the Premier League top sides watching him play, and there is worry among fans that he may move before the end of August. However, his early season form suggests if he were to stay at the ABAX, he could well be a rising star in this team.

When it comes to a starting lineup, it is evident that the midfield is Posh’s strongest asset. The defence though is a worry, with clean sheets proving more than hard to come by during pre-season. Ben Alnwick is almost certainly a staple in this side in goal, with Michael Smith likely to maintain his right back berth, with potentially Jack Baldwin and Ryan Tafazolli in the centre of defence, flanked on the left by either Hughes or Elder, should he rejoin the club. In the middle of the park, Chris Forrester should be one of the first names of the team sheet, especially now he’s been named captain. Beside him, it wouldn’t surprise if Lopes or Chettle make the opening fixture, with Jermaine Anderson another key component that should play week in and week out in front of them. Out wide, Maddison and Jon Taylor are two players that can light up this league as they did at times last season. Maddison managed double figures with both assists and goals in the last campaign and he will hope to replicate that form once again. Up front is where the trouble lies though for this team, with none of Posh’s strikers seemingly on form and firing. Paul Taylor has looked the brightest prospect, closely followed by Shaquille Coulthirst. Taylor has electric pace and power, and Posh fans will remember his abilities in the Championship a number of years ago. Shaquille also has pace to burn and is just in need of the finishing touches to enable him to find some form and goals of his own.

Tactically, McCann must find a system that both suits his players, and suits the demands and stresses of one of football’s toughest divisions. Similarly, having a plan B and a plan C is something that Grant has already stressed is important for his side, and that is certainly something Posh have lacked of late. McCann is known for wanting his side to attack for with verve and to always be on the front foot, so you’d expect there to be plenty of goals in either end, but should Posh need to close out a tricky away game, or to come from behind, he needs various strategies and options he can utilise to give his side an advantage. 3-5-2 was given its maiden test against West Ham and while it didn’t appear to be entirely functional as yet, there is potential for the system to work if required.

In terms of how far this Peterborough side can go, they are more than capable of finishing anywhere in the top 7, but this does depend on performances, desire and hunger, and of course there is no guaranteed legislation for how players perform. Should they reach the height of performance that we have seen, albeit irregularly, this side really can reach the skies. Whether they will, we shall have to see. This season really is make or break for these players, and I sincerely for one pray that we see the latter.