Let's talk about the Peterborough United game#

[selby]

  With green shoots of potentially better things to come being shown in our last few league and cup games although not getting that elusive win in league games we have next up what could well turn out to be one of our hardest tests of our resolve to get back to winning ways.
  Fast improving  Peterborough now shut of the domineering Ferguson will be a stern test if they come anywhere near repeating their display televised v Stockport when Moore, Lisbie, and Kioso looked players at the top of their game in a dominant team display.
  The two teams have had very different starts to the season, us at the top of our game early season and doing well while Peterborough struggled for any form and looked to be in real trouble.  Now things have reversed with us second from bottom of the form table and Peterborough in the heady heights in seventh place having won three of their last four league games with the not surprising new manager bounce.
  Yesterday we looked a lot more comfortable at the back than of late, but taking into consideration the fact Stevenage were missing both their main strikers, and watching the pace and physicality of the Peterborough front line which will be up against our defence that at times is quite pedestrian it's one area I worry about. they looked very good in both penalty areas against Stockport, two areas where we are not the greatest.
  We need to play well and are at our best capable of matching most teams in this division, and a bit of a change of luck would not go amiss. Any changes except for tactical reasons would be harsh on yesterdays side IMHO, and if we play with the same commitment we will turn things around.
  What do you think? an important game against a side improving but one we can open a little points gap on which puts pressure on them.
  It has always been a game hotly contested and our management team will really want a win, how do you see it?
  So lots to talk about and discuss, please have your say.

[steve@dcfd]

In the first 3 league games under new manager Peterborough have scored 9 and not conceded a goal. They have beaten Stockport, Cardiff and Wimbledon but all three games were at home.
They will play Stevenage at home again on Tuesday before they play us on Saturday.
This will be a hard game, the team will have to be at their best both defensively and in the attacking third. The starting eleven yesterday could be the team we start with. It appears that McGrath was back to his best yesterday which he needed.

[drfchound]

Games against Peterborough are generally quite open and entertaining so I’m really looking forward to this one.

[EasyforDennis]

In the first 3 league games under new manager Peterborough have scored 9 and not conceded a goal. They have beaten Stockport, Cardiff and Wimbledon but all three games were at home.
They will play Stevenage at home again on Tuesday before they play us on Saturday.
This will be a hard game, the team will have to be at their best both defensively and in the attacking third. The starting eleven yesterday could be the team we start with. It appears that McGrath was back to his best yesterday which he needed.

I would make one change from yesterdays starting 11. Bring in Billy Sharp for Gibson and play Billy up front with Hanlon.

[Thorney]

In the first 3 league games under new manager Peterborough have scored 9 and not conceded a goal. They have beaten Stockport, Cardiff and Wimbledon but all three games were at home.
They will play Stevenage at home again on Tuesday before they play us on Saturday.
This will be a hard game, the team will have to be at their best both defensively and in the attacking third. The starting eleven yesterday could be the team we start with. It appears that McGrath was back to his best yesterday which he needed.

I would make one change from yesterdays starting 11. Bring in Billy Sharp for Gibson and play Billy up front with Hanlon.

Not a cats chance in hell we will be going 2 up top.

Think we will see the same starting 11, and i hope so for continuity.

[selby]

  The biggest change from yesterdays game at Stevenage and this one against Peterborough will be the pace of Peterborough's attack, something we struggle with.
   Although improved since the new management team, like us they have been poor in games defending their own penalty area, we need to play on the front foot, and as much as possible in their half of the field.
 If not they are capable of cutting us to pieces and running past us in our defensive areas, its a game where we will need to keep our shape and concentration.

[Colemans Left Hook]

Saturday 29th November 2025
12.30pm   Blackpool   v   Reading
3pm   Bradford City   v   Exeter City
3pm   Burton Albion   v   Leyton Orient
3pm   Cardiff City   v   Mansfield Town
3pm   Doncaster Rovers   v   Peterborough United
3pm   Huddersfield Town   v   AFC Wimbledon
3pm   Lincoln City   v   Port Vale
3pm   Luton Town   v   Bolton Wanderers
3pm   Plymouth Argyle   v   Northampton Town
3pm   Rotherham United   v   Wycombe Wanderers
12.30pm   Stockport County   v   Barnsley
3pm   Wigan Athletic   v   Stevenage

----------------------------------------------------------

Saturday 2nd May 2026
3pm   AFC Wimbledon   v   Huddersfield Town
3pm   Barnsley   v   Stockport County
3pm   Bolton Wanderers   v   Luton Town
3pm   Exeter City   v   Bradford City
3pm   Leyton Orient   v   Burton Albion
3pm   Mansfield Town   v   Cardiff City
3pm   Northampton Town   v   Plymouth Argyle
3pm   Peterborough United   v   Doncaster Rovers
3pm   Port Vale   v   Lincoln City
3pm   Reading   v   Blackpool
3pm   Stevenage   v   Wigan Athletic
3pm   Wycombe Wanderers   v   Rotherham United

This reverse fixture "Job Lot" happens at least once every season

I presume it's the same with the Nov 29th matches being reversed as the last matches in Division 4

-------------------
Update

as i expected you get the first match reversed over Easter Monday April 6th -- this trick has been going on for years - even used to happen in the OLD TOP DIVISION

----------

Monday 6th April 2026
3pm   AFC Wimbledon   v   Luton Town
3pm   Barnsley   v   Plymouth Argyle
3pm   Bolton Wanderers   v   Stockport County
3pm   Exeter City   v   Doncaster Rovers
3pm   Leyton Orient   v   Huddersfield Town
3pm   Mansfield Town   v   Burton Albion
3pm   Northampton Town   v   Wigan Athletic
3pm   Peterborough United   v   Cardiff City
3pm   Port Vale   v   Rotherham United
3pm   Reading   v   Lincoln City
3pm   Stevenage   v   Blackpool
3pm   Wycombe Wanderers   v   Bradford City

----------------------------------------------

Saturday 2nd August 2025
FT   Blackpool(1)   2   3   (2)Stevenage   10,090
    Honeyman (6'), Ennis (80')       Reid (17', 45+10'), Kemp (50')   
FT   Bradford City(2)   2   1   (0)Wycombe Wanderers   19,604
    Sarcevic (6'), Pointon (14')       Udoh (68')   
FT   Burton Albion(1)   2   1   (0)Mansfield Town   5,170
    Clive Webster (22', 50')       Cargill (77')   
FT   Cardiff City(0)   2   1   (1)Peterborough United   19,615
    Colwill (48'), Kpakio (60')       Ihionvien (33' pen)   
FT   Doncaster Rovers(0)   1   0   (0)Exeter City   8,688
    Molyneux (88' pen)          
FT   Huddersfield Town(1)   3   0   (0)Leyton Orient   17,062
    Low (7'), May (55' pen), Roosken (90+5')          
FT   Lincoln City(1)   2   0   (0)Reading   9,054
    Burns (20' og), Hackett-Fairchild (67')          
FT   Plymouth Argyle(0)   1   3   (2)Barnsley   16,483
    Watts (50')       Sarpong-Wiredu (14' og), Phillips (30'), Keillor-Dunn (86')   
FT   Rotherham United(2)   2   1   (0)Port Vale   9,883
    Nombe (14', 29')       Hall (60')   
FT   Wigan Athletic(2)   3   1   (0)Northampton Town   9,471
    Murray (29', 46'), Weir (43')       Forbes (70')00000000000000000000000

[EasyforDennis]

In the first 3 league games under new manager Peterborough have scored 9 and not conceded a goal. They have beaten Stockport, Cardiff and Wimbledon but all three games were at home.
They will play Stevenage at home again on Tuesday before they play us on Saturday.
This will be a hard game, the team will have to be at their best both defensively and in the attacking third. The starting eleven yesterday could be the team we start with. It appears that McGrath was back to his best yesterday which he needed.

I would make one change from yesterdays starting 11. Bring in Billy Sharp for Gibson and play Billy up front with Hanlon.

Not a cats chance in hell we will be going 2 up top.

Think we will see the same starting 11, and i hope so for continuity.

Continuity!!!. When was the last time we won a game?? I definitely don't want this continuity.

[Usher wide.]

SACK THE MANAGER!

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Saturday 29th November 2025
12.30pm   Blackpool   v   Reading
3pm   Bradford City   v   Exeter City
3pm   Burton Albion   v   Leyton Orient
3pm   Cardiff City   v   Mansfield Town
3pm   Doncaster Rovers   v   Peterborough United
3pm   Huddersfield Town   v   AFC Wimbledon
3pm   Lincoln City   v   Port Vale
3pm   Luton Town   v   Bolton Wanderers
3pm   Plymouth Argyle   v   Northampton Town
3pm   Rotherham United   v   Wycombe Wanderers
12.30pm   Stockport County   v   Barnsley
3pm   Wigan Athletic   v   Stevenage

----------------------------------------------------------

Saturday 2nd May 2026
3pm   AFC Wimbledon   v   Huddersfield Town
3pm   Barnsley   v   Stockport County
3pm   Bolton Wanderers   v   Luton Town
3pm   Exeter City   v   Bradford City
3pm   Leyton Orient   v   Burton Albion
3pm   Mansfield Town   v   Cardiff City
3pm   Northampton Town   v   Plymouth Argyle
3pm   Peterborough United   v   Doncaster Rovers
3pm   Port Vale   v   Lincoln City
3pm   Reading   v   Blackpool
3pm   Stevenage   v   Wigan Athletic
3pm   Wycombe Wanderers   v   Rotherham United

This reverse fixture "Job Lot" happens at least once every season

I presume it's the same with the Nov 29th matches being reversed as the last matches in Division 4

Never knew this happened! Thank you for bringing it to light CLH. I’ll keep tabs on that for future seasons.

[In the box]

In what I’ve seen in recent matches , there been an element of bad luck , this game may just be turning point as players seem to be playing with more commitment and purpose .Sterrys return has helped and now that Hanlan has shown that there’s a willingness to run and hassle along with his height and over physical presence around the box could well see an uplift in results and take the pressure off McCann before the January window .

[Colemans Left Hook]

Can anyone remember when we have actually been above them when we have played them in the league.

[Monolith No. 9]

Can anyone remember when we have actually been above them when we have played them in the league.

Couldn’t possibly say it was the last time it happened but we were pushing for a play off position in the Championship (2010?) about the time we went  to their place and won 2-1 with JET in the side and Gareth Roberts scored with a screamer. They were bottom 3 at the time with a horrible long ball side whose main attacking idea was a series of huge throw ins into the box from someone called Exodus Geoghagon.

[Padge_DRFC]

1700 coming from Peterborough and a few more.

[selby]

  Rather than a must win which would be very nice and welcome it is a don't lose game.

[Usher wide.]

  Rather than a must win which would be very nice and welcome it is a don't lose game.

I have to disagree selby, one point at home is no good. We have to start & win our home games. Playing well away & coming away with a point against a side in the top six is acceptable when you’re in & around that group, when you’re a side at the ‘wrong end’ of the table you have to ensure, somehow, that good performances result in winning games, claiming the 3 points & climbing the table.

It is a must win game imo.

[Petche]

Agree we must start winning our home games, however I don't think there's any need to panic....yet!
The entire division is only seperated by 16 points, back to back wins and we'd probably be back in the top 10.

[selby]

  Usher Wide, I agree we need a win I agree we need to show better form at home in fact everything you say.
  But we more than that need not to lose and hand Peterborough the points to draw level with us, if we draw the gap is still in place.

[In the box]

McCann made reference to our position in the league and having been in a similar positions in the past  and made it up by getting a run together , what he failed to mention that on those occasions we had a loan strikers who were capable of scoring goals and create for others .., I know it’s his job to talk up players to build confidence yet our history of repeats is starting to look like Christmas on the TV ..

[scawsby steve]

Let's see what happens in January. It's made a difference in the last 2 seasons.

[Alan Southstand]

  Usher Wide, I agree we need a win I agree we need to show better form at home in fact everything you say.
  But we more than that need not to lose and hand Peterborough the points to draw level with us, if we draw the gap is still in place.

Just to be pedantic, if Peterboro’ win they go above us, albeit on goal difference.

[Barmby Rover]

A win today, hopefully the rain has stopped by 3.00pm.

[i_ateallthepies]

A win today, hopefully the rain has stopped by 3.00pm.

Nah, we want it lashing it down like at Stevenage, them southern jessies don't like it.

[selby]

 One thing to take on board with the weather and the fast surface that gives the players who can run and control the ball the advantage.
  It isn't a day to pass the ball across the back line and make mistakes unless a certain ball is on, if not get rid and play in their half where we can exploit mistakes and give the front men early balls.

[ncRover]

Williams did the double over McCann when he was Notts County manager didn’t he?

[Chris Black come back]

Gone with same XI and squad as last week. Think that is probably our strongest possible XI currently. Argument over Grehan, Pearson or McGrath to partner O'Riordan.

[roversdaft]

Gone with same XI and squad as last week. Think that is probably our strongest possible XI currently. Argument over Grehan, Pearson or McGrath to partner O'Riordan.

Exactly what I said when I saw the line up

[Bessie Red]

Williams did the double over McCann when he was Notts County manager didn’t he?

Not be doing it this season!

[danumdon]

Two good goals from Gibson hide the fact that we rode our luck and made heavy going of a tough match.

Allowed them back into the game early second half and it galvanised them, they had chances to draw level and didn't take them, Sharp missed what would have been a match calming third and they pushed on but we held firm.

Overall a good battling win, we've played matches recently where we thought we should have got something more from the game, just like Posh today but we did win the 3 points with the battling display.

The fightback can start from here.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Taking performances into account, 4 points from the past 3 games is the least we've deserved