The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
One last chance to cement a Posh first-team place
Posh manager Grant McCann has some tough selection decisions to make as the countdown to the start of the League One season continues.
McCann insists his mind is far from made up as to the makeup of his starting XI for the opening competitive game of the season against Plymouth at the ABAX Stadium on Saturday, August 5.
His thinking might become clearer to fans when Posh travel to League Two side Cheltenham for the club’s final pre-season friendly of the summer.
A stronger side will travel there than to local non-league club Stamford AFC on the same day.
Posh won 3-2 at League Two side Lincoln last weekend before losing 1-0 to Wolves on Tuesday in the final home friendly of the summer.
But McCann said: “No players can take anything for granted as far as selection is concerned.
“They have another match in which to show they deserve to play against Plymouth and they also need to confirm their form in training.
“I’ve been happy with a lot of what I’ve seen so far this summer.
“We’ve used pre-season as it should be used by trying a few different things.
“Our strikers have all looked sharp and, while it wasn’t the greatest game against Wolves, we defended very well against a side who have spent a lot of money and will go well in the Championship. Our friendly matches have been competitive which is good and we have stood up to some physical tests.
“Alex Penny showed exactly why we signed him againstWolves, but the three centre-backs who started that game (Ryan Tafazolli, Jack Baldwin and Andrew Hughes) were also excellent.
“We’ve played three good Championship sides and lost to them all, but we’ve always been in the games which is encouraging.
“We didn’t pass the ball as well as we can against Wolves. There was too much sideways passing, but against Lincoln we looked very good going forward. We were bright and lively against a very good side.
“The fitness levels are also very good.
“Ben Mackenzie (head of physical performance) showed me some data the other day which suggests we are two weeks further ahead in terms of fitness than at the same time last summer.
“That’s very encouraging and shows how much hard work the players have put in since the end of last season.” Posh legend Craig MackailSmith was given a 45-minute run-out against Wolves, but it won’t lead to another London Road contract.
Mackail-Smith, who finished last season on loan at Posh from Luton, has been training with McCann’s men as he seeks a new club.
Posh also played an unnamed trialist who isn’t expected to be offered a permanent deal.
New attacking midfielder Danny Lloyd missed the game against Wolves as a precaution against a slight knock he picked up in a friendly at Deeping Rangers last Saturday, but he is expected to return to action this weekend.
Posh manager Grant McCann is happy with his club’s progress.
Posh striker Jack Marriott scored twice at Lincoln City.
Grant McCann: “No player can take anything for granted.”