Contented Moncur hopes to enjoy winning return to Posh
THE LAST time that Barnsley midfielder George Moncur stepped out at Peterborough United’s London Road home his future with the Reds was rather less certain than it is now.
After struggling for game time at Oakwell in the early part of 2016-17, Moncur joined weekend opponents Posh on loan in search of a confidence booster.
Following his return from the Fens in the new year of 2017 the 25-year-old elected to get his head down in Yorkshire and attempt to force his way into the Reds’ lineup, with his change in attitude and focus eventually rewarded.
After finding it hard to settle in his early days at the club Moncur now feels right at home – and is positive about his prospects of extending his time at the club.
Moncur, whose deal expires next summer, said: “We have spoken a little bit about it and it is all positive news. But at the minute I take each day as it comes and will look towards the future a little bit further down the line.
“I am really happy here and my wife has moved up and really enjoys it and I love it. We will see what happens in the future, but I am more than happy where I am.”
Moncur readily admits that his time with high-flying Posh was a touch bittersweet, but says that he draws solace from the fact that fate eventually saw him get his career back on track at Oakwell.
Positivity will not be in short supply for both Barnsley and Posh ahead of a game that has the makings of being League One’s match of the weekend.
He said: “You are going to get a knock in confidence if you are not playing somewhere when you have just signed and it was my decision to go (to Peterborough).
“It started off well and maybe faded a little bit, but I believe everything happens for a reason and I will go there with high hopes and hopefully we can beat them.
“I was happy to go out and come back and I am happy where I am right now.” GRANT M cCANN has been named Sky Bet League One manager of the month, but do not expect Doncaster Rovers’ manager to be celebrating just yet.
McCann has scooped the managerial prize for September and Rovers striker John Marquis has bagged the League One player of the month award after unbeaten Doncaster picked up four wins and a draw.
McCann is happy to receive the award – in recognition of Rovers’ good start to the season – but he has long-term success in mind.
“I am pleased for my staff and players,” he said. “I think it shows a level of consistency over two months not just a month.
“But we are not getting carried away. We want to continue the form we are in, be competitive in every game. I haven’t even touched the trophy, it’s gone into the office. Hopefully by the end of the season there will be a few others.
“I am not interested in curses, or anything like that. It’s just probably a bit early to be handing out awards, we are two months into the season. We want to be judged come March and April.”
Striker Marquis has been integral to Rovers’ early season form – Doncaster sit third after 11 games on 21 points – with seven goals in September.
He is League One’s joint leading scorer, locked on eight with Sunderland’s Josh Maja, and McCann is backing the 26-yearold former Millwall striker to carry on his rich form.
“It’s great for John, he’s deserved it (the award) with the goals he’s scored, he has been outstanding,” said McCann.
“Now he needs to keep it going. He is hungry for more and can get a lot more if we keep creating chances for him.
“He has more touches in the opposition box than any other centre-forward in the league, so it’s no surprise that he is the leading scorer.”