Posh hit Reds play-off hopes

Last updated : 03 March 2004 By Mad Tyke
A goal from Calum Willock just 50 seconds into the second half gave Peterborough a 1-0 victory after comic defending from Craig Ireland and Marlon Beresford gave the striker an open goal from 10 yards.

The Reds had dominated the first half with Michael Boulding looking quite sharp on the left and he created two great headed chances for Kevin Betsy, one of which came back off the woodwork.

Daniel Nardiello also had a goal disallowed for a debatable offside early on.
Peterborough worked hard without really threatening but the Reds players always seemed nervous on the ball and mislaid far too many passes.

However, the performance in the second half was appalling. For 25 or so minutes after Posh scored, we looked totally clueless, aimless long balls, players treating the ball like a hot potato - panic and confusion everywhere.

Things improved a little towards the latter stages after the seemingly out of his depth Craig Rocastle was replaced by Alex Neil and later Steve Hayward (who had a decent game with the exception of some poor free kicks) was replaced by Robbie Williams.

Antony Kay was slow to react when he had a close range chance during a scramble from a corner and Daniel Nardiello had two chances to give the Reds a point at the death.

So...the post mortem. We played badly, didn't have much luck and the three forwards formation isnt yet working. We lack leadership on the pitch and
Gudjon's team selection and tactics have been questionable to say the least lately.

The bottom line is the team we had out tonight should have been good enough to beat a poor Peterborough side.

And finally, the 'fans' - absolutely shocking tonight, booing players when their names were announced before kick-off, racist abuse - much of it aimed at Rocastle, who had a stinker, but Betsy also got his share despite being man of the match. Too many of our fans seemed to spend the entire match finding fault, almost willing players to make mistakes..........and then we wonder why some players seemed to hide in the second half.

If Gudjon is hounded out then I don't think there would be a biq queue of experienced managers lining up to replace him - who would want a job where you can't win? We have too many fans with no brains, no patience and no sense of reality. Rocastle was subbed to the largest cheers i've heard at Oakwell in a long time. Pathetic.