It’s been a tough 2012 for Posh as recalled by Alan Swann

Optimism and hope heralded the start of the year.

Poshwere15thintheChampionship onJanuary1andwere deniedawininthefirstgameof the monthonlybyalastminute BirminghamCitypenalty. Manager Darren Ferguson had insisted all his stars would remain at London Road and that the play- offs were a possibility.

Three league defeats in a rowandatamesurrenderinthe FA Cup at the hands of Sunderland were followed by the sale ofRyanBennetttoNorwichCity to confirmthatFerguson’spunditry expertise wasthe equal of Lee Tomlin’s public relations expertise.

Tomlin was banned from Twitter after regular run- ins with Posh fans ( and reporters) on the social network site before offering a carefully- word- ed ( by some- one else probably) apology.

Despite their poor form Poshfinishedthemonthin17th place, but nine points clear of the relegation zone.

witty PeterboroughTelegraphreporter Alan Swann. Posh splashed out a cool £ 1 million for the first time in their history as striker Tyrone Barnett arrived from Crawley. Barnett headed a last- minute equaliser on his debut as a substitute at Doncaster, anactworthyofacelebratorydrinkortwo in the city centre.

Posh won for the first time in eight Championship match-

Crawley’s opinionated managerSteveEvans.

GrantMcCann whenFergusondeliveredsome bad news.