CENTRE-BACK Michael Bostwick v Ryan Tafazolli

It could be that these two actually play together, but as Bostwick played most of last season as the left centre-back, and that’s Tafazolli’s position, they could also be in direct competition. Defensive doubts persist about Bostwick’s lack of pace and mobility, but he was one of Posh’s best players last season. He’s strong in the tackle and powerful in the air. His positional skills can overcome a lack of natural speed. Tafazolli arrived with a lofty reputation though, and not just from biased Mansfield fans. He won five player-of-the-year awards at the League Two club last season, but his performances were noted by other clubs with several chasing his signature alongside Posh, including Sheffield United. Tafazolli is a defender first and foremost, but he is also a threat in the opposition penalty area at set-pieces and that’s an area Posh must improve on next season. “We need to do better at set pieces and Ryan was a regular goalscorer for Mansfield last season. “Ryan will improve us in both penalty areas as he attacks the ball so well. “He is an excellent defender and he is a left-footer, which provides a bit of balance to the back-line, but I also believe he will score goals.”

I can’t see Bostwick being left out of the starting line-up and I get the impression Tafazolli has been signed as a first-choice player. It will be a dilemma for McCann, but he has raved about Bostwick’s ability to play in midfield in the past so maybe that will be an option.