McCann’s men deliver a menacing performance

Posh delivered a performance full of menace at Whaddon Road.

That was Posh manager Grant McCann’s description, a man who is convinced he has assembled a forward line to frighten the life out of League One defences this season.

Jack Marriott’s hat-trick was the major plus, as was the performance of playmaker Marcus Maddison, although praise of that mercurial talent comes tinged with sadness at his impending departure.

Whether or not Posh can hang on to him for a while could determine how well his team start the 2017-18 campaign.

As is customary Posh insist they have identified a replacement - it might even be summer signing Danny Lloyd - but whoever it is will need time to get near Maddison’s goal-assist and goal-scoring standards. Maddison scored here and helped create a couple of other goals, most notably with a raking pass that enabled Junior Morias to pick out strike partner Marriott to complete his hat-trick from close range.

An own goal from a Maddison free-kick completed a rout that had looked unlikely when Posh skipper Jack Baldwin conceded two penalties in the opening quarter of the game. Fortunately ‘keeper Jonathan Bond saved the second one from Dan Holman.

“We were a bit lacklustre at the start,” McCann stated. “But once we got going we looked full of menace. Marcus Maddison was unplayable and Jack and Junior were very dangerous up front together.”

How long Posh can keep Maddison will determine how well they start.

Steven Taylor made his Posh debut at Cheltenham.