Robertson looking to be Fergie successor
IT’S now or never for me at Peterborough United says caretaker boss Dave Robertson as he waits to find out if he well get the job full-time.
A goal from Jon Taylor, which appeared to loop in after a strong gust of wind, made it three straight wins for play-off chasing Posh who had half-time substitute Marcus Maddison controversially sent off at the end.
And Robertson, who has openly admitted he wants to be Darren Ferguson’s long-time replacement, is set to meet club chairman Darragh MacAnthony early next week with his future on the agenda.
Robertson said: “We have won a battle. It was a really dogged game.
“Second-half we knew we needed to be resilient. The lads have shown great commitment.
“They have got their confidence back. I told them they are good players. We have a strong squad here.
“The chairman will be in Monday and Tuesday and we will sit down sometime. If he’s not going to give me the job after nine points from nine he never will!”
On Maddison’s red card he added: “It seemed like a strong 5050. I’ve not reviewed it yet but we will decide whether to appeal on Monday.
“I thought the referee had a good game.”
In a drab first-half, Taylor’s cross from the right looked to be easily clearing the bar, but the windy conditions appeared to bring the ball down and into the net.
The away side nearly forced an equaliser early in the second-half as Peterborough goalkeeper Ben Alnwick tipped over an effort from Jobi McAnuff which appeared to come off his thigh.
Referee Mark Brown then sent off Maddison in the 90th minute after he won the ball against Luke O’Neill with a strong challenge, albeit with studs showing.
However, the visitors, who saw Romain Vincelot stretchered off after being tackled, could not capitalise and remain in the bottom four.
Orient manager Fabio Liverani left the ground following the end of the match for ‘family reasons’, but assistant manager Marcello Donatelli feels his side can escape from trouble, starting with next Saturday’s match against fellow strugglers Yeovil Town.
“The whole game was affected by the wind.We played a good game but did not create enough chances,” he said. “Peterborough’s goal was a lucky episode caused entirely by the wind.
“I think a draw was fair even if it was not the best performance. Second-half we had two chances.
“Vincelot appears to have a knee injury. It looks bad.”