Football Season Guide

There’s a real sense of looming disaster at London Road as Peterborough United head into the new season underprepared. There are red flags everywhere following a disappointing season in which Posh flirted with relegation before finishing in 18th place, just four points above the League One drop zone. It was an unpleasant shock for supporters, who are used to their team challenging at the top end of the division. With the exception of Steve Evans in 2019, Posh begin a campaign without either Darren Ferguson or Grant McCann in charge of the team for the first time in over a decade. Luke Williams finds himself as the man in the hot seat, trying to work with a squad of players who failed to deliver last season. There are two or three exceptions, winger Kyrell Lisbie showed plenty of potential, enough to entice Millwall to splash out £3m this summer. The departure of midfielder Archie Collins has been pending for months. His contract has now expired and is expected to sign for a Championship club, although he may have to lower his wage demands. One player who is staying is goalkeeper Alex Bass, who might well have saved the Posh from relegation with his performances last season. There is therefore an urgent need to strengthen the squad, yet those who have signed so far have met with an underwhelming response. Harrison Jones is the replacement for Collins but has been signed from Sunderland on potential alone with just two appearances to his name. Left-back Evan Weir and winger Owura Edwards were both playing in League Two last season and hardly get the pulses racing. Another issue which needs addressing is the long-term injury list of defenders. Left-back Rio Adebisi has only made one substitute appearance since signing in July 2024, centre-back Sam Hughes missed the whole of last season whilst centre-back partner Tom O’Connor last played in January. Darragh MacAnthony will mark two decades in charge of the Posh at the end of the forthcoming season. Whilst he continues to seek the media spotlight and talk the talk, there’s a real sense of malaise and change of ownership might be what the club needs.