FORM GUIDE: POSH WANT POINTS
It’s certainly been a roller-coaster ride for Peterborough United over the past five years – promoted from League Two (2007/08), promoted from League One (2008/09), relegated from the Championship (2009/10) and then promoted from League One (2010/11). They finished a comfortable ten points clear of the relegation zone in eighteenth place last season, but so far this season it has been a struggle for them, and they are currently bottom of the table after twenty-one games.
Going into the weekend the Posh are presently five points off the safety mark and will look to their visit to Cardiff as a means to kick-off a run of positive form.
Looking back to August, it couldn’t have been a worse start as Peterborough lost their opening seven matches, scoring just five goals. Then in late-September/early-October the Posh won successive matches at Hull and Barnsley to ease some pressure, but two defeats followed. The pendulum swung again in late-October with victories at home against Huddersfield and Derby, but since the start of November they began their current run of eight matches without victory. During that spell Peterborough have picked up just one point, a 1-1 draw at Ipswich on November 24th.
But despite that 3-2 home defeat by Middlesbrough last Saturday, it was a much-improved performance to give encouragement for the immediate future, going into this weekend. There have been two recent loan-signings who are making an impact – midfielder George Thorne from West Bromwich Albion and forward Dwight Gayle from Dagenham & Redbridge, both of whom have played in the last four games, with Gayle scoring three goals in his last two matches.
The side that faced Middlesbrough last weekend was in a 3-4-2-1 formation and was: Olejnik; Bostwick, Zakuani, Knight-Percival; Little, Thorne, Rowe, Newell; Tomlin, Boyd; Gayle.
Following this weekend, the Posh host Bolton before two away trips to Wolves and Bristol to close out 2012. Should Championship status be assured for next season, Peterborough will want points on the board in any configuration. It’ll require a top Cardiff City performance this Saturday to deny that happening here.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING 0845 345 1400
Ambassadors can bring guests for £10 an adult and £1 for children in general admission areas. We're looking at a good crowd this weekend, so don't miss out on the last home game before Christmas.
