No team came out in control early doors, but I felt after our goal, things began to slide a little. We still laboured but a sting went out of the game, there were a few tepid moments, and that’s where another facet of our squad came into play. Partly fuelled by a head injury to Adam Jackson, we had a tactical reshuffle. Tom Hamer and Ryley Towler were introduced as City switched to a back three. That gave us a little more control in the middle of the park, effectively operating a 3-5-2 with three in the middle. It meant more of our players in place to wrestle the ball from the home side.
I don’t think Posh were awful, but defensively, they just didn’t do the basics. In moments, I quite like Garrett and Nevett, but there just wasn’t a cohesion about their play. In the past they’ve been quick in transition, full of pace and tricks, but today they just felt like an aspiring mid-table side. What a wonderful way to finally describe Posh after several seasons of being thumped by them.
1-0 is dangerous, a ricochet can change things, and we’ve seen that this season. We’ve surrendered leads against Bolton, Luton and Mansfield, often not because we’ve played badly, and even against Northampton, we kept going backwards inviting pressure. This time, no such thing happened, and just after the hour, Reach again played his part, delivering a cross from the right. In scenes not unlike the game against Northampton last season, Darikwa arrived energetically and drilled in at the far post. Street was poised to tap home, but Darikwa’s low strike found the net to double the lead.
That was game over, but it might have been different. The home side spurned another good chance, JJ Morgan getting in behind and lashing the ball across the front of Wickens, but their moments were few and far between. Had that gone in, could momentum have changed? Perhaps, but it didn’t, and it was the last real chance they had of getting anything.
After that, City just eased through the gears, and the game felt won with 30 minutes to go. We made our usual changes, bringing on players who can affect the game. Ivan Varfolomeev looks to have already settled nicely, thank you very much, no need to worry there. Justin Obikwu, who arrived with many thinking he was nothing more than squad filler, has proven to be a superb option from the bench as well. He has a unique set of attributes according to the coaching staff, but I think that’s like a few of our players – big, strong and quick. He certainly asked some fresh questions after his introduction.
It was Obikwu who killed the contest on 86 minutes, having already had one decent chance and a penalty shout (a weak one, but a shout). I missed the goal – I’m at home with COVID, and as Tom Hamer launched his long throw, my feed froze. I think it must have had some sort of effect on the Posh defence, as they froze as well, and the ball just dropped free to Obikwu, stealing in at the back post to nod home.
That’s two in two for Obikwu, and he almost made it three in a week moments later. It would have been more comedy defending from the home side, a clearance ricocheted off him and forced Bass into action.
Still, we pushed forward, Posh looking a beaten side. We wanted four, maybe five, and felt relentless in those final minutes. We still pressed high, we still harassed even with the game dead and buried. Varfolomeev tested the keeper in stoppage time from range, but by then the outcome was assured.
What does this non-derby day delight mean? Three points, that’s the base return. But it is more, I think. The opening to this season is vindication for Skubala, who took an awful lot of stick around Christmas and New Year. It’s proof we were on the right track, that on our day, we can beat the best. Posh aren’t a bottom four side. Luton were Prem at the beginning of last year, and Plymouth would have stayed up had they not had Rooney in charge. Bolton are one of this division’s best sides, while Wigan and Reading have been dark horses for a few seasons now. That’s not an easy start, and we’ve come through in third.
There is something satisfying about beating Posh. I know they’ll sneer at us, making a rivalry when they believe there isn’t one, but I remember the heartbreak of Keith’s meeting with Barry Fry. I remember how I felt when my hero, Peter Gain, moved there. I remember those thrashings, 4-0 and 3-0, comprehensively beaten by a side much better than us. For many seasons, rightly or wrongly, our fans have aspired to be like them. We’ve wanted the £1 million+ sales, we’ve wanted to be able to turn down offers for our players. Grant left for them, Woodyard too, and it’s always felt like they’re bullying us.
Not any more. Today, we bullied them. This transfer window, we resisted their approaches. It feels like there has been a shift in normality, and while a single result isn’t all-encompassing proof, it is a nice feeling. No longer are Peterborough a team to fear, and saying that means we’ve moved forward and progressed.
Under Michael Skubala, we’ve become a different beast, a side that is greater than the sum of its parts, a team that will punch above its budget. Sitting here, shivering like a pooing dog, aching in every joint as COVID surges through my body, that’s a massive comfort.
Up The Imps.
Next Page – Bubs bloody loved it, so we have a full gallery. Be a shame to waste them!