The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

Question of the Week

Who will go down?







 

Peterborough Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 04/12/2003

TOWN’S stop-start season continued last week with a home defeat to Tranmere, but can the Mariners be more consistent in the Cup and progress to a potential money-spinning tie in the Third Round?

Home > 2003-2004 Season > Previews > Peterborough (a)


Town face Peterborough for the second time this season after the drab 1-1 draw between the two sides back in September. Managed by Barry Fry, the "Posh" are hovering near the foot of the Second Division table in 20th place, despite their excellent away form this season. The problem for the Posh has been their home form. They have not won at home in the league this season, which might encourage Town fans, but they have won at home this season - in the FA Cup!

The Opposition

Manager
Barry Fry. (left) Regarded as a real "footballing character" by many, Fry is seen by many Posh fans to be underachieving at London Road. This season has been like chalk and cheese for ‘Boro - they have an abysmal home record that hasn’t seen them win in the league, yet all their four league wins have come away from home. This has put Fry under pressure to steer the Posh to a better second half of the season.

The Team
In defence for The Posh is the brother of Arsenal’s Nigerian international, Kanu - Christopher Kanu who signed on a free during the summer after previously playing his trade with Ajax. Former Town transfer target Curtis Woodhouse (left) signed for the Posh permanently on a three year contract in October. An energetic midfield player, Woodhouse cost Birmingham £1 million when he left Sheffield United in the 2000/01 season.

In attack for the London Road outfit will be the experience of Andy Clarke and ex-Crystal Palace forward Leon McKenzie whom for years has been the subject of much transfer speculation. McKenzie scored 18 goals in his first season for the Posh and is their top scorer this season with 12 goals to his credit. Joining in him in a three pronged attack could be Richard Logan, a former Ipswich striker who is on loan from Boston United. He was linked with a move to Town rivals Hull City just earlier this week.

Recent Form

 

TownPeterborough
LTramere(a)0-1
WBrentford(a)3-1
DStockport(h)1-1
WQPR (cup)(h)1-0 (4-5 pens)
LRushden(a)1-3
Currently 15th in Division 2
WWycombe(a)2-1
LBlackpool(h)0-1
WBournemouth(a)2-1
WHereford (Cup)(h)2-0
WBrentford (LDV)(h)3-2
Currently 20th in Division 2

Top Scorers

 

TownPeterborough
Boulding12
Anderson4
McKenzie5
Clarke5

Team News

 

TownPeterborough

  • Town have early injury worries over Marcel Cas, Iffy Onoura and Iain Ward. All are struggling with knee injuries and will face fitness tests.

  • Should Onoura not make it then Darren Masnaram is likely to get the nod over Phil Jevons, after Paul Groves said last week he would not pair Jevons and Boulding together.

  • Cas only has a place on the bench at the moment, but should he be deemed fit enough, could have a good shout of a start in place of Iain Anderson.
  • On loan Fulham striker Calum Willock picked up a hamstring injury in a midweek reserve game and will miss out of the tie. Richard Logan is likely to deputise.

  • Defenders Sagi Burton and Matthew Gill have returned from injury and will be included in the squad.

  • Regular goalkeeper Mark Tyler missed out of last week’s victory over Wycombe and so former Ipswich youngster James Pullen (yes - the one who gifted Mick Boulding a goal at Portman Road last season!) played between the sticks, and by all accounts had a good game. Barry Fry must choose between the two of them for this clash, with Tyler returning to full fitness.
  • Probable Starting XI's

     

    TownPeterborough
    Aidan Davison
    John McDermott
    Darren Barnard
    Tony Crane
    Mike Edwards
    Stuart Campbell
    Des Hamilton
    Jason Crowe
    Iain Anderson
    Darren Mansaram
    Michael Boulding
    James Pullen
    Mark Arber
    Gareth Jelleyman
    Simon Rea
    Christopher Kanu
    David Farrell
    Curtis Woodhouse
    Steven Thomson
    Andy Clarke
    Leon McKenzie
    Richard Logan

    Subs

     

    TownPeterborough
    Phil Jevons
    David Soames
    Marcel Cas
    Paul Groves
    Bradley Hughes
    Sagi Burton
    Matthew Gill
    Adam Newton
    Mark Tyler
    Richard Scott

    Connections

    Former Town favourite Bradley Allen (left) made 10 appearances for Peterborough last season, scoring 3 goals. Unfortunately, he could not earn a permanent contract. He had a short spell with Bristol Rovers last season, but has not played for a league club since.

    Target man Jason Lee was playing for Peterborough up until last season, where from January 2000 he started over 50 games, scoring 16 goals. He played for Town in a loan spell at the end of the 1996/97 season when he scored 2 goals.

    Last Time Out

    It was not so long ago Town played Peterborough - just this September at Blundell Park, when the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Adam Newton had given the Posh the lead in the second half, until a Michael Boulding goal ten minutes from time salvaged a point for Town.

    Town Team: Davison, McDermott, Edwards, Ford, Crane, Cas, Groves, Bolder (Hockless) Campbell, Rowan (Soames) Boulding.
    Subs: (not used) Young, Pettinger and Parker Goals: Boulding (80)

    Peterborough Team: : Tyler, Gill, Read, Jelleyman, Legg, Newton, Boucaud (Thomson) Shields, Farrell, Clarke, McKenzie.
    Subs: (not used) Green, St-Ledger, Scott, Fotiadis
    Goals: Newton (18)

    Attendance: 4,710   Report

    Peterborough Head-to-Head (50th on The Opposition Ladder).

    Prediction

    Fishy prediction: Town to get through to the third round with a big home tie. 2-1 Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to London Road (left).

    Pubs

    Click on the link for pubs near London Road.




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