Predicted lineup: how I think Robbie Savage’s Peterborough United will play
Robbie Savage gave some clues in his first press conference on Friday as to how he sees this Posh squad.
He mentioned playing an attacking 4-2-3-1, as well as giving some insight into what he needs from some positions on the pitch.
I am taking a closer look at who I think the right personnel is in this Posh squad to make his system a success.
Note: I have chosen from players that are likely to be available for the Leicester game in the league.
GK: Alex Bass
In his press conference, Savage referred to Bass as one of the best goalkeepers in League One. He is the clear number one at the club, but if there was any doubt about it, he will continue to be so under Savage.
Savage told his goalkeeper at Macclesfield to stick to the basics, don’t try and play out, just save shots and distribute the ball in a controlled manner.
I don’t wonder if, given some recent scares for Bass, Savage may apply that same logic here in his early days.
LB: Harley Mills
Savage spoke about the hope to play attacking football, whilst also getting the fullbacks ‘high and wide’ at times. Evan Weir is a much more defensive option, with Mills being the more front-footed choice.
I can imagine Savage will have Mills absolutely bombing down the left channel and delivering crosses as soon as he can.
Mills has actually had a good season so far, and I hope to see this continue.
CBs: David Okagbue and Josh Feeney
Now, I don’t think there is really any debate here. Mendonca is good but raw, and Hughes and O’Connor are (I believe) still sidelined.
These are by nature our only two fit central defenders, I would expect Savage to get these guys back to basics. Safety first defending, and then trying to distribute the ball to the better ball players in the team as soon as possible.
RB: James Dornelly
This is a bold shout, but Savage spoke a lot in his press conferences about the need for acceptance of mistakes, and using them to grow.
If there is one player who has maybe struggled with the mental side of making errors the most across recent seasons, that is James Dornelly.
If Savage can instill confidence, and a mentality that it is okay to make errors, into JD then he is a better option than CJ for the ‘high and wide’ fullbacks role.
That said, I am a huge Johnston fan, and he never let his old manager down, there is a chance Savage goes for his reliability instead of the volatile Dornelly.
If we are talking purely who has the highest ceiling and fits the system better, I would say Dornelly takes it.
CDMs: Liam Kelly & Ben Woods
Savage intimated in his presser that he would like to play with two number sixes. Kelly is nailed on, being the most experienced player in the squad.
I imagine Kelly will be asked to be the anchor of the team, sitting back and providing those around him with the confidence to commit wholeheartedly to aggressive, attacking movements.
Woods is an interesting one - he was name-checked by Savage in the interview as someone he knows because his son spent time in the Manchester United academy with him.
Ben Woods gets a massive new manager buff, he was immense in the early days of Luke Williams, and played his best game of the season whilst Ryan Harley was in interim charge.
Hopefully he will be able to replicate his good form over a longer period of time. Woods is a tough tackler, which will resonate with Savage as that was his role in his playing days.
Savage spoke of his desire to have one of his number sixes press up and be a ten at time, and Woods certainly has the engine to do this, particularly out of possession when pressing (which is one of his biggest skills).
I would imagine Woods will get the nod initially.
CAM: Harry Ashfield
Ashfield is another player who was mentioned by name by Savage, having coached him before at U15 level.
He is the most in-form midfielder in the squad, and would be a shoe-in to play for any Posh manager at the moment.
His technical quality and willingness to drive at the heart of the defence with the ball will be perfect for Savage’s brave attacking football style.
LW: Owura Edwards
There are serious concerns about the lack of end product here. He has been coached by several talented managers in his career, but is still very poor in this regard.
If Savage is able to fix his final third issue, then that would be a masterstroke. I think he will try to though, as the upside of Edwards is incredibly obvious.
Savage spoke about his desire for the wingers to be high and direct, and Edwards fits this mould perfectly.
He will run at his man again and again, which is exactly the kind of endeavour the new Posh gaffer will be looking for.
And with the license to be expressive and make mistakes provided to all players by Savage in his press conference, maybe that will free up Owura Edwards to go to the next level.
RW: Bolu Shofowoke
Robbie Savage said the words ‘just give the ball to Bolu’ when asked how he sees the talents of this Posh squad.
That has been the tactic for a while it seems, particularly under Luke Williams, and while I think it was a tongue in cheek remark, it clearly shows how highly-rated the 17-year-old is by the new manager.
Bolu is another one that fits the ask for direct wingers, and if he can start to express himself on a regular basis then League One could be in trouble.
Savage was known at Macclesfield and Forest Green for really prioritising his best players, and I can imagine Bolu is probably one of them in his mind at Posh.
I just hope Bolu might get some rest at times now under Savage - maybe having a son who plays professional football might help him to understand this need.
ST: Harry Leonard
This is an obvious one. Although Leonard is in bad form he is still Posh’s best player and one of the best strikers at the level.
Under Ferguson last season, it was stale for Leonard and the goals just didn’t come. It took a new manager to really unlock Leonard’s goalscoring, and when it was it never went away.
Leonard is on a similarly dry patch right now in the league, and I am hoping that Savage can unlock him once more.
Savage said to the press that he wants to get someone a bit closer to Leonard, likely Harry Ashfield, which should help the fact that he has been so utterly isolated so far this season.
Posh need Leonard in form. Maybe this change will galvanise him.
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