Tommy Rowe (undisclosed, Stockport
County),
It's been an impressive few years for Peterborough United. Not so long ago they were subject of a TV show where Ron Atkinson came in as a Football advisor to try and save the club. I remember watching it and finding the show highly entertaining mainly for the rants and arguments between Big Ron and the manager at the time. Big Ron's instance that they should sign Stefan Moore also brought much laughter in my household but the biggest laugh came from Barry Fry as the exposure that the club gained from that show brought in a new owner in the shape of millionaire Darragh MacAnthony. The new money that he brought along with manager Darren Ferguson has transformed the club from mid table league two to a Championship side within two years. Last season they must have expected to build on promotion but settle in mid table but Fergusson had none of that and with a side built of players from non league they scored bags of goals and pushed for promotion from the start. After an initial poor August they lost once
in the next twenty one games and that defeat came to Champions Leicester. They romped to promotion with seven wins in
a row through March and April and after defeat at Millwall back
to back wins confirmed they would be a Championship club for just
the second time in their history
After back to back promotions Peterborough will be hoping that the momentum gained from that can push them onto bigger things this season. They certainly have one of the brightest
young managers around who had assembled a good squad with players
from non league. It's not come cheap but the likes of Boyd, McLean
and Mackail-Smith all look excellent players who should be able
to make the step up to the Championship. They have an owner willing to spend and with talk of a new stadium they are a club that has plenty of ambitions. So can they make it three promotions in a row? Well I'd personally be very surprised if they did. They have a good first eleven but even
at this level you need a strong squad over such a long season and
that's where I think they'll come up short. At London Road they'll be a tough side
to beat and few teams will fancy that away trip but over a full
season I think they'll be more than happy to just avoid relegation
and they should have enough goals in them to make sure that happens. Prediction: 18th in the Championship
I asked Peterborough fans on an unofficial message board for their thoughts on the new season and here is what they had to say. How do you think Peterborough will fare this season? Mid table, playoffs if we get off to a good start Who are your players to watch out for? Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd Is your Manager the right man for the job? Definitely Which three teams will be promoted this season? Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and the Posh (well you have to dream don't you) Which teams will be relegated? Watford, Scunthorpe and Plymouth How do you think QPR will fare this season? Playoffs
Click on the match for a report of the game from this web site.
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