Three things you may have missed from the defeat to Luton Town

It was a disappointing opening home match of the season for Posh, ending in a 0-2 loss courtesy of an Andersen header and a calamitous Nevett-Bilokapic backpass error resulting in an easy goal for Jordan Clark.

Photo credit: Joe Dent

For those watching on television, you may have missed these three things…

Frith on crutches and booted up

Having suffered an injury in training, Frith was walking with a boot and crutches. 

The club hopes it is not a serious injury and he will be back soon, but we haven’t heard the results of the X-ray.

This allowed Cian Hayes to come into the starting lineup. Speaking of Posh’s number 18…

Cian Hayes played through most the game with a knock

Hayes did not have his best game on Saturday, struggling to convert good dribbles into real opportunities.

What may not have been seen on the cameras is that early in the game he landed awkwardly, jarring his left knee.

He limped through it, and could be seen nursing it after every dribble in the first half. 

It is a credit to the young winger that he fought on, despite clearly being in pain. 

He cut a deeply frustrated figure by the end, with his last touch an unsuccessful dribble caught under his feet that went out for a throw-in. 

He will be hoping to bounce back in one of the two games this week.

Fearless Luton - Posh swapped wingers, so Luton swapped wing-backs

Kyrell Lisbie, having replaced Abraham Odoh on the left wing, was bottled up by half-time sub Nigel Lonwijk for most of the second period.

As a last roll of the dice, Posh matched up Luton, changing to a 3-5-2, and in the process swapping the wingers, initially matching Hayes up with Lonwijk.

Luton’s response? Simply to swap the wing-backs in turn. 

Lonwijk’s physical dominance of Lisbie (and Odoh before him) continued, and Posh failed to muster another chance.

What now for Posh?

Let’s hope Frith is back soon, and Hayes is not too hurt. Losing both would be a major problem for the right wing.

Lisbie has a lot to learn about using his body at this level. 

While there is no doubt he is a tricky dribbler, the best League One players will use their frame to stop the dribble before it has even started. 

Lisbie must adapt, and fast, if he is to get success at this level.