Opposition Lowdown: Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United

Reading return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium after the international break with a home match against Peterborough United. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Peterborough United finished last season in fourth place in the league, securing a spot in the playoffs. They played fifth-placed Oxford United in the semi-finals but lost 1-2 on aggregate, making it a second straight season that they missed out on the final to the eventual winner.

This marks their third straight season in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship in 2022, when they finished 22nd in the league. The Posh currently sit 15th in the league after 12 wins, nine draws and 16 losses, with 10 of those losses coming on the road.

Their recent form has been strong and they are unbeaten in their last seven league games. Their last match saw them claim a 3-0 win at home to playoff hopefuls Charlton Athletic, while they also have a Wembley trip to look forward to this season, having made it to the final of the EFL Trophy.

The Posh and The Royals last met back in November with Reading claiming a 1-2 win after two goals from Harvey Knibbs.

The boss

Darren Ferguson: Son of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, Darren is currently in his fourth stint as manager of The Posh.

Having played for the likes of Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wrexham, Ferguson started his managerial career at Peterborough, where he joined the club as player/manager in 2007. He had a strong start to his managerial career, winning back-to-back promotions with the club, finishing second in League Two in his first full season in 2008 and then securing another second-placed finish in League One in 2009.

He left Peterborough in November 2009 with the club sitting bottom of the Championship. A spell at Championship side Preston North End followed at the start of 2010, but he didn’t quite see the year out, as he was sacked in December.

Ferguson returned to Peterborough in January 2011 and was at the club for another four and a half years, securing promotion back to the Championship via the playoffs. A stint at Doncaster Rovers followed in 2015, before a second return to The Posh in 2019. He resigned in February 2022 but returned to the club almost a year later and has gone on to guide them to sixth- and fourth-placed finishes in the league.

Ferguson usually favours a 4-4-2 formation and like his side to play possession football.

Squad

Peterborough made a number of defensive reinforcements during the January transfer window with the signings of three defenders. Right-back Carl Johnston joined the Posh from Fleetwood Town for a six-figure fee, while Tayo Edun signed on a permanent deal from fellow League One side Charlton and Sam Hughes arrived on loan from Stockport County. They also signed midfielder Joe Andrews from non-league Chippenham.

Defender Edun is expected to return to the starting lineup following his suspension. They will also have captain Hector Kyprianou and forwards Gustav Lindgren and Bradley Ihionvien available for selection.

Predicted lineup

Steer, Dornelly, Wallin, Hughes, Edun, Susoho, Collins, Poku, Mothersille, Odoh, Jones

Key player

Kwame Poku: Midfielder Poku joined Peterborough in August 2021, signing from Colchester United.

He started his youth career at Cray Wanderers before joining Worthing in 2019. Later that year he signed for Colchester United. Poku made his Football League debut in September 2019 and went on to play 75 games for Colchester, scoring six goals and logging eight assists.

Poku joined Peterborough in August 2021 and has gone on to represent the Posh 139 times, scoring 28 goals, with 10 of those goals coming this season. He spent a number of months out injured, having required surgery for a hamstring injury back in December, but has recently returned to their starting lineup.

The 23-year-old is also a Ghanaian international with one cap to his name, making his debut in 2021. Poku can play in the number 10 role or on the wing and is a skilful and tricky attacking threat.

One to watch

Emmanuel Fernandez: Defender Fernandez joined Peterborough in July 2021, signing from non-league Ramsgate.

Fernandez started his career in the youth setup at Brentford but went on to join Gillingham in 2018. He never made a first-team appearance for the Gills but did spend time on loan at Sheppey United and Margate. He was eventually released by Gillingham and went on to join Ramsgate where he spent a year before joining Peterborough.

The 23-year-old has gone on to make 57 appearances for the Posh since signing and has become a regular first-team starter this season, scoring five goals. Fernandez is a tall, powerful defender who is comfortable on the ball.