Boss Fergie ‘pleased’ with performance but concerned by defensive lapses in draw at Colchester
In Friday night’s 2-2 preseason friendly match at Colchester United, Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson expressed his satisfaction with his team’s overall performance.
However, he was also annoyed by some of his team’s defensive play and the fact that Posh blew a 2-0 lead that had been established by goals from Declan Frith and Sam Hughes in the first half.
The home side hit back before half-time to make it 2-1 before Colchester substitute fired home a 67th-minute equaliser.
“For the first five minutes we were awful, and that’s two games on the bounce now so that is something we need to address in terms of how we want to start a game,” said Ferguson.
“We invited pressure when we didn’t need to.
“But from that moment on, up until they scored their first goal I thought we were good.
“The press was correct, the intensity was better and the quality of some of our football was good and we got a complete grip on the game.
“We scored a good goal from a set-piece, good delivery and a great finish. It was a great goal by Dec and I thought he showed his quality all night.
However, we must break the pattern of promptly giving up after taking a 1-0 or 2-0 lead.
“The game is completely under control at 2-0, and we are one of the league’s clubs that will take advantage of any holes created by opponents if we are ahead.
We are sometimes our own worst enemies, so losing that lead was disappointing.
“There were poor choices, and in most cases, the team with the fewest errors wins.
“We made a terrible decision for the first goal, but we reacted well to it and at half-time I was fairly comfortable and fairly pleased.
“In the second half Colchester brought on fresh legs and pressed us aggressively, and we weren’t as good as we were in the first half.
“There were no injuries, Sam has come off just as a precaution but he will be absolutely fine and we move on to Saturday.”
Posh now play their final pre-season friendly of the season on Saturday afternoon at Grimsby Town (3pm).
The players not involved at Colchester will travel to Blundell Park for that game.
Posh then have a free week before Saturday’s season opener at Cardiff City.
Posh team v Colchester: Bilokapic, Johnston, Hughes (sub Mendonca 71 min), Okagbue, Mills, Collins, Khela, Odoh, O’Brien-Brady, Frith, Ihionvien (sub Changunda 77 min). Unused subs: Smith, Fox.
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