PETERBOROUGH 2 CITY 0
Arriving at Peterborough’s ground was like going back in time. We were in the old stand with wooden seats, corrugated asbestos roof and a catering area not much bigger than your normal kitchen. A 12 noon kick off seemed strange but we looked forward to a key match with eager anticipation.
Nigel Pearson was faced with problems with the absence of Howard, King and also the dilemma of how to respond to the poor performance against Colchester. He responded by selecting a Dickov/ Fryatt front line and picked Berner in midfield. He also, somewhat surprisingly selected, Kisnorbo to partner Hobbs at the back. Warner continued in goal, despite his Bruce Grobelaar impersonation against Colchester.
The weather started to have a major effect on the type of football played and both sides struggled at first to cope. The wind was extremely strong facing Tony Warner and his kicks, which are erratic at the best of times, hardly reached the half way line.
However Peterborough never started strongly against City as we expected and City gradually gained more possession and, without creating clear cut chances, looked comfortable. It all changed about five minutes from the end of the first half just as we were feeling that it was a job well done…
The wind increased and a hailstorm started and the referee incorrectly awarded Posh a corner. From the corner Lee got the ball, waltzed past two non existent tackles from City defenders in the penalty box corner and slotted it in to Warners right, who never even moved for it.
This seemed to lift Posh who attacked strongly for the rest of the half. The half ended 1-0 down but we were still optimistic because the wind would be behind us in the second half. How wrong we were…
Peterborough started the second half well and City was on the back foot. Pearson soon made an attacking change and took off Berner, who had played well, to be replaced by Hayles. Later on Adams came on for Dyer.
City tried to press forward without ever playing well. Peterborough continued to threaten on the break. They hit the bar from a free kick (Warner was nowhere near) and had a shot saved. Mackail-Smith shot just wide when clean through. Mattock deserted his defensive duties and let in Whelpdale on the right who shot really well and low to make it 2-0 to Posh.
There were only about 10 minutes left as the wind and hail continued to swirl around both Hayles and Fryatt missed good heading chances as City, too late, started to put in some decent crosses against a Peterborough goalkeeper who did not look convincing. A Dickov shot was blocked after a rare close passing move. The match petered out in a disappointing way as City fans faces became glum and anxious about the shrinking points gap.
As a City fan for many years I have never taken it for granted that we have promotion in the bag and three points from the Carlisle game next week is now turning out to be vital to stop a poor run developing and calm fans nerves. It was always going to be a tough game against Peterborough but there were some worrying aspects which Nigel Pearson will need to sort out:
· There was too much heated arguing between City players. This is not a good sign when the chips are down. You need to support your team mates.
· Fryatt looked completely out of sorts and never threatened. Let us hope Howard’s return will make a difference to his play.
· Kisnorbo looked rusty and his uncertainty at times was worrying.
· Both the goals came from Mattock’s side. I am not convinced that he is a better option than Berner.
· The goalkeeper situation must be sorted out. When will Martin be fit again? Perhaps Stockdale would be a better bet because Warner’s excursions and poor kicking lead to uncertainty in the defence.
It’s going to be an anxious end to the season until promotion is mathematically certain but City never do it the easy way!
Peterborough: Lewis, Martin, Lee, Zakuani, Williams, Whelpdale, Keates, Coutts, Boyd, Mclean, Mackail-Smith (Batt 90). Subs Not Used: Blackett, Westwood, McKeown, Torres.
Booked: Lee. Goals: Lee 44, Whelpdale 79.
Leicester: Warner, Gilbert, Hobbs, Kisnorbo, Mattock, Gradel, Berner (Hayles 61), Oakley, Dyer (Adams 71), Fryatt, Dickov. Subs Not Used: Morrison, Brown, Stockdale.
Booked: Berner, Warner, Gradel, Hayles.
Att: 14,110. Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation