WIN WAKES UP WOOZY FERGIE
DARREN Ferguson says he felt bored watching his Peterborough side’s win over Fleetwood Town – but called the three points the most important this season.
Conor Washington seized on a defensive mix-up by the Fleetwood defence to stab home on the stroke of half-time.
The Cod Army had Stephen Crainey sent-off for a second yellow card as Posh held out for their first win in three matches, much to Ferguson’s relief.
“I felt it was a pre-season game in the first half. I do not know if it was the heat catching them out,” said Ferguson.
“The players are quite disappointed by the performance but they won, which is the main thing.
“We did not keep the ball well. We looked lethargic. But second half our front two caused them all sorts of problems and we did enough to win the game.
“I’m pleased with Conor’s goal as he’s only scored the one this season.
“Second half against Yeovil was the worst we’ve played all season, that’s why I made five changes.
“But it was very boring at times the game.The result’s a very good one as it stops the mini-rot. It’s probably our best one of the season so far.
“Credit to my players that they have got 19 points. I’m really pleased with that return.”
Fleetwood created the better of the first-half chances, but failed to take advantage.
A mix-up between Gareth Evans and Stephen Dobbie saw neither player finish in front of goal, while Peterborough’s Michael Smith did well to clear Josh Morris’ goal-bound effort off the line.
Peterborough took advantage of their fortune when a long clearance by goalkeeper Ben Alnwick bounced over the Fleetwood defence, allowing Washington to nip in and score his second of the season.
After the break, Morris saw a free-kick tipped round the post by Alnwick, but Crainey’s second booking for a foul on Marcus Maddison with under ten minutes to go ended Fleetwood’s challenge.
The defeat was the Cod Army’s eighth consecutive winless match, much to the frustration of boss Graham Alexander who felt his side were unlucky to go down to ten men.
“It was a pathetic goal and is down to us.We cannot look at that goal with any pride. It’s route one and cannot happen,” he said.
“That’s not a game we should have lost. They have not threatened us in the first half.
“Even with ten men we had opportunities to get back into the game.
“We are putting pressure on ourselves by not taking opportunities we create.
“We cannot look in that team and say many had a stinker.To turn this around, if it means taking someone out who is playing nicely but was not effective, that’s what we will have to do. “It’s not a sending off. He’s hardly touched him but the lad must have been down ten times in the game.
“The ref is ten yards away, it’s ridiculous.”