Is it just a new manager bounce?
- Mark Salt
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
There really hasn’t been much to cheer about as a Peterborough United fan this season.
And even heading into the first match of the Luke Williams era on Saturday, expectations were low.
Many of us were happy to write off the FA Cup first round match against high flying Cardiff, to concentrate on improving our lowly league position and to give the new manager more time to implement his ideas.
But the team had other plans, delivering a great performance to book a spot in the 2nd round.
The bounce
It’s not unusual for a side to improve when a new manager comes in.
A new voice and new ideas can lift the atmosphere, while players are suddenly trying to impress.
This certainly happened at London Road with everyone in blue showing improved performances, including:
A season’s best for Peter Kioso, delivering a performance reminiscent of his first spell.
A great display in a multi-functional midfield role by Ben Woods.
A remarkable showing from Abraham Odoh, demonstrating rarely seen skill and intent.
Another consistent display from Alex Bass, who seemed to swallow every ball up heading anywhere near our goal.
Add to this a first Posh goal for Harry Leonard. A reward for another good performance, not that they have been lacking for the striker. We’ll even let him off the early miss.
Fast start, more urgency
You would be disappointed not to have seen that ‘bounce’ but what was far more impressive was the way the home side were ‘at it’ with urgency not seen around these parts for a long time.
Everything was done at a quicker pace. There was urgency to every bit of play, whether the ball was going long or short.
It wasn’t quite breathless, but the energy in the opening stages was refreshing and exciting.
It’s obvious that Williams had simplified instructions allowing players to be more confident in their decisions.
Also, without the ball it felt like the players had discovered how to press and everything was higher up the pitch, moving the threat away from our goal.
Tailing off
It was clear we couldn’t keep up that frantic pressure for 90 minutes, and it did tail off.
Cardiff gained more of the ball as the game went on. They are not 3rd in the table without good reason.
But what we did was continue to fight and graft, regularly getting bodies to the top and cutting out chances.
There’s work to be done to get these players fitter if we are going to continue this way.
Feel-good factor
There was also a feel-good factor around the pitch, with fans making more noise than they have in months despite the stadium being half empty.
It was nice to turn to those near you and regularly nod in satisfaction at what you have seen and be impressed by players who have disappointed in recent weeks and months.
We will never forget what Darren Ferguson has done for this club and the success he’s driven over large parts of the last 20 years.
But the change in atmosphere around London Road is vindication enough that we desperately needed a reboot.
Yes, but…
Before getting ahead of ourselves, this is just one match.
Yes, the omens are good but there is a hell of a long way to go, and a lot of points to be won to get us to safety.
No midweek game gives Luke Williams a clear week to work with his players and get his ideas over.
Saturday’s visit of AFC Wimbledon should give everyone a clearer idea of what the team will look like under Williams, and hopefully a vital three points.
Then we will know if it’s a new manager bounce, or the start of something special at London Road.
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