The fight goes on

Posh refuse to be written off in the race for the League One play-offs.

A disappointing defeat at leaders Sheffield Wednesday last weekend was followed by a crucial home win against Shrewsbury on Tuesday, a result that lifted Posh to within seven points of the play-off places.

Posh have a huge game coming up in just over a fortnight against rivals Derby County who are the team currently occupying the final play-off spot, but manager Darren Ferguson won’t be looking that far ahead.

He is concentrating on Saturday’s home game with Cheltenham and then a Tuesday trip to Burton Albion (March 14).

“We’re still in there fighting,” Ferguson said after the Shrewsbury win.

“In the last 10 games we’ve picked up 19 points which is promotion form, but we are probably going to have to match that and then do more for the remainder of the season.

“The Derby game will be completely irrelevant if we don’t do our jobs properly before then. I’m interested in Cheltenham only right now.

"We have got to go a run now, everyone knows that. We have just had a good win over one of the teams around us, but now we need get on a long winning run.”

Ferguson will be able to call on a fit and firing Kwame Poku after the 21 year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the Shrewsbury game.

“Poku was left out to give him a complete rest,” Ferguson added. “I didn’t want him to be on the bench because he was very fatigued.

"It’s hard for a young boy to play nine games on the bounce, but he’ll now be fresh for Saturday.

“He was still giving a good level of performance, but I've got to appreciate the importance of keeping a level of quality and freshness in the squad.

"I have to manage the players, but I also have to be careful as we are running out of games and there is still a decent gap between us and the top six.”

Centre-back Josh Knight will complete his three-match suspension on Saturday and then be available for the trip to Burton.

Posh have 12 League One matches remaining and end the season at potential play-off rivals Barnsley on Sunday, May 7.

Posh celebrate a goal in the win over Shrewsbury which kept their League One season alive. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.