The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
McCann believes... now his players must do the same
Posh manager Grant McCann believes he has one of the best squads in league One. One of his major tasks now is to make the players believe it as well.
McCann is a modest, as well as model, professional. There will be none of the tub- thumping bombast of previous summers when predictions of promotion were more common than the sun.
McCann expects his club to go well. Heexpects his players will play with freedomand withtheconfidencetoexpress themselves.
But he will go no further than that. There are some big clubs in League One and Posh will have to play consistently excellent football to finish above them.
“We will be playing some topteams,” McCannsaid.“The likes of Sheffield United and Charltonwill havesomeexcellent players, but I have some excellent players as well.
“I don’t go in for predictions about where we will finish, but I am determined that PeterboroughUnitedwillplay exciting, attacking football.
“We will be positive in the way we set up for games and I willbepositivewithmychanges during games.
“It’s the only way I know how to play football. It’s the way I played the game and it’s the way I will be as a manager.
“My job initially is to get the players believing in themselves so they can play with confidence and freedom.
“We have a talented squad andIwantthemtoshowitevery time they step on the field.
“Pre-season went well for us with the obvious exception ofseriousinjuriestoLeeAngol and Brad Inman.
“I don’t take a lot of notice of the results in friendlies, but it is good that we won a few games and that we beat strong opposition like Leeds and Brentford.
“The win at Brentford was pleasingbecauseitshowedwe can winbyplaying well defensively.
“It’s not the way I want to play, but sometimes you have no choice.
“I neverlikedpre-seasonas a player. It’s obviously been a bit different as a managerand I was very happy with the way we structured the summer to give us the best chance of starting the League One season well.
“But I’m glad it’s out of the way now and we can concentrate on the competitive matches.
“I’m as excited nowasIwas when I was playing.
“It’s obviously a new challenge for measamanager, but I’m up for it.
“I’ve learnt alot fromworking as anassistant managerin the last two seasons, but now the decisions and the responsibility are mine.
“I can’t wait to get started. Me and the players are more ready.”