Posh Team of The Decade

2010-2019: A Brief Overview

As decades go it’s been a pretty good one for Posh. A miserable start to the decade saw Posh relegated back to League One from the championship having had three different managers in the opening four months of the decade. Darren Ferguson returned midway through the next season to oversee an immediate return to the Championship through a thrilling playoff run and then ensured that Posh stayed up in the second tier of English football for this first time in the club’s history. The next season saw a heart breaking relegation as Posh went down following an 89^th minute Mile Jedinak header on the final day of the season. Posh were relegated on 54 points, the most ever for a relegated side, and had produced a fine run of form in the second half of the season having lost the first seven games of the campaign.

That defeat was crushing for the players, owner, manager and fans alike. In truth the main narrative of the second half of the decade has been Posh’s failure to return to the second tier. Posh have failed to make the playoffs since 2014 despite frequently flattering to deceive in the early stages of the season. That same 2013/14 season saw Posh win their first ever national cup, with a 3-1 win over Chesterfield at Wembley in the then Johnston Paint Trophy. By comparison, the 2014/15 season to date has felt like a relatively barren spell.

That said, as the decade draws to a close let’s celebrate the highs. With two seasons spent in the second tier of English football and a cup win the current decade has been arguably the best in the club’s history. There have been some truly scintillating performances (2-0 vs MK Dons in the 2010/11 playoff second leg), memorable cup upsets (3-1 away to Aston Villa) and great players who will be remembered fondly for years to come.

But out of everyone to play for the Posh this decade, who makes it into the team of the decade? I have based selection on two criteria. The first being pure ability, the second impact at the club. The players have been fitted into an adapted 4-1-2-1-2 formation, which in truth is more accurately represented as a very attacking 4-1-3-2. The shape, rather than being designed to win matches, has been selected as the best way to include as many of the standout performers as possible into the XI.

Goalkeeper – Bobby Olejnik

Tough one to call this for all the wrong reasons. Since Mark Tyler’s initial departure there have not been many to wear the number 1 jersey with distinction. Bobby gets my nod as a very reliable, ‘traditional’ keeper. Good shot stopper, commanded his area well and a vocal organiser of his defence. His limitations with ball at feet was eventually his undoing.

Honourable mentions:

Not many. Joe Lewis was the longest occupier of the number 1 spot and had all the attributes to be a top keeper but never fulfilled his potential at Posh. Too many errors and seemingly brittle confidence often belied his impressive physical and technical attributes. He is currently enjoying the best spell of his career at Aberdeen. Joe Day only made four appearances in four years at Posh but his performances for Newport County last season suggest he may have been one who got away.  

Right Back – Mark Little

The marauding, exciting, energetic Little gets the nod at right back. Had a big impact at Posh as his attacking tendencies were vital to a side which often employed a narrow midfield diamond during his spell at the club. The two main criticisms of Little were that often his end ball did not match his build up play, while he often relied on his pace to bail him out at the back. Posh have never come close to replacing him since his departure.  My personal highlight of his time at Posh came when he tripped over his own legs two yards outside the box following a trademark burst forward at Stadium MK, only for Posh to then be given a vital penalty whilst down to ten men and 3-1 down in the Playoff first leg.

Honourable mentions:

Technically Russell Martin was only a Peterborough player for four days of the decade (and even then he was on loan at Norwich), but he would have been a near certainty for this side had Mark Cooper not taken the bizarre decision to offload him to Norwich after quickly deciding that he wasn’t up to the demands of Championship football. A regular starter across four Premier League seasons and 29 Scotland caps says all you need to know about that call.

Left Back – Tommy Rowe

The versatile former skipper Rowe slots into this side at left back, which was the position he was arguably most suited for at Posh where, like Little, his attacking tendencies provided vital width given Posh’s narrow midfield. A very good technical player, who could also play left midfield or left wing, he married his ability on the ball with an unquestionable work ethic and tactical intelligence. Was a player you could trust to consistently put in 7/10 performances.

Honourable mentions:

Hard to think of many left backs who had a major impact at the club so Callum Elder gets a mention as the best left back to play at Posh throughout the decade. His spell at Posh sadly only lasted 21 games.

Centre Backs – Ryan Bennett and Gabriel Zakuani

Bennett is easily the best defender to play for Posh this decade. Made exactly 100 appearances during a three season spell before moving to Norwich for a reported £3.2m. Strong in the air, a good tackler and confident with ball at feet, he is every bit the modern centre back. Also possesses a booming long throw which Posh never properly utilised. It is currently no surprise to see him currently excelling in the Premier League with Wolves.

Zakuani gets the nod to partner Bennett. Zakuani was never happy when asked to pass the ball but just LOVED defending. Strong and athletic he always wore his heart on his sleeve, was a terrific tackler and would battle from minute one to the final whistle. Made over 250 appearances for the club split across two spells, a firm fan favourite.

Honourable mentions:

Ryan Tafazolli was arguably Posh’s next best centre back during this period. Standing 6ft5 he was dominant in the air and won the fans player of the year award for the 2016/17 season. The decision not to renew his contract this summer remains a surprising one. Michael Bostwick was another whose commitment could never be called into question. Signed as a tough tackling midfielder but spent a large part of his Posh career at centre back. Now perhaps best remembered for his pass to a steward in a high visibility jacket bombing it down the wing.

Holding Midfield – Grant McCann

Who else? McCann has been captain, assistant manager and manager of the side this decade. McCann joined Posh having played primarily as an attacking midfielder but made the deep lying playmaker role his own. Had a magic wand for a left foot which was capable of moments of exquisite beauty. Surely the best dead ball taker ever to regularly grace London Road and scored in every game of Posh’s 2010/11 playoff run. No one else has come close to touching his impact from central midfield.

Honourable Mentions:

Combative midfielder Charlie Lee was perhaps next closest, but not particularly close, to selection. Won club player of the year twice in the previous decade and never let anyone down as he consistently put in performances full of effort, passion and crunching tackles. Chris Forrester was the closest Posh got to finding a like-for-like replacement for McCann. At his best an incredibly classy operator and tidy passer, his form sadly took a nose dive following an impressive start. Jake Livermore had an excellent, but brief, loan spell with the side at the start of the decade. He may well be the best central midfielder to have worn a Posh shirt in the last decade, but cannot be included as he only played nine games for the Posh.

Left Midfield – George Boyd

Has reinvented himself first as a hardworking wide midfielder and now as an all action number ‘8’ during the latter stages of his career. Throughout his first spell at Posh he was an exciting, skilful and at times mesmeric attacking winger, who would surely have gone even further in the game had he been blessed with even a modicum of pace. Christened the ‘White Pele’ by Stevenage fans and it was a mantra adopted by those who watched him at Posh. An absolute joy to behold when on form.

Honourable Mentions:

Martin Samuelsen wowed and dazzled in flashes across two loan spells. A player of huge technical ability, he never performed as consistently as one would like but his hypnotic dribble and goal away to Sheffield United will live long in the memory. Now 22 and in his sixth loan spell, surely needs to find a new permanent home to fulfil his lofty potential.

Right Midfield – Marcus Maddison

The most gifted player in the current side by a stretch. At times he has been a frustrating performer in a Posh shirt where his performances too frequently failed to match his undoubted talent. Has had the best start to the season of any player this decade however, with nine goals and six assists coming from just 17 league games. It’s a shame that it looks like his spell at Posh may soon come to an end with his contract expiring in the summer.

Honourable Mentions:

Welsh winger Gwion Edwards had two fine seasons at Posh before moving to Portman Road, although injuries robbed him of the chance of having a truly stellar 2017/18 campaign. Current squad member Joe Ward is a consistent performer capable of extraordinary goals but struggling to find a regular starting spot in a system which does not suit him.

Number ‘10’ – Lee Tomlin

It’s fair to say that this XI has traded defensive solidity for flair, creativity and attacking talent and no one in this side would do less off the ball than Lee Tomlin. That said he was a master creator and goal scorer on it. Tomlin started life as a central striker but truly excelled at the tip of the midfield diamond. His vision and eye for a pass is unparalleled by anyone in this hypothetical side full of creative talents. Tomlin was also tough to knock off the ball, an excellent dribbler and tidy finisher. Never fully committed himself to the fitness side of the game at Posh, but looks to be in the best shape of his life currently at Cardiff City. Was sadly way off match fitness during his loan spell at the side last season.

Honourable Mentions:

Paul Taylor was probably the best of the rest at ‘10’ (Maddison who is already in this XI aside). An excellent dribbler with a decent goal scoring record, although his decision making and ability to see/play the final ball would often infuriate as they did not match his technical skills. Like many to return his second spell at the club failed to match the heights of his first.

Centre Forwards – Craig Mackail-Smith and Dwight Gayle

The hardest position to pick due to Posh having so many outstanding candidates for a starting spot up front. Mackail-Smith may not be the best striker to play for Posh this decade but he is definitely the one who had the biggest impact. His 27 league goals were vital to Posh’s immediate return to the Championship and, like McCann, he scored in all three play-off matches. Was always the hardest working player on the pitch and the best defensive forward to play for Posh this decade. Both his technical and finishing abilities came on leaps and bounds during his first spell at the club. He was never the same player following injuries in subsequent loan spells but scored 104 goals for the club in 233 appearances.

The decision to include Gayle will likely be the most hotly debated selection in this XI, especially as he spent less than nine months at the club. He gets the nod based on two criteria. Firstly, he performed the best of any forward who played for Posh in the Championship, scoring 13 goals in 29 appearances. Secondly, he has achieved the most at the highest level since leaving Posh. Possessing excellent movement, pace and a superb finisher, 18 Premier League goals, 46 Championship goals and a £10m move to Newcastle since leaving mean he can reasonably lay claim to being the best forward to pass through Peterborough’s impressive production line.

Honourable Mentions:

So many given Posh’s aptitude for spotting and developing attacking talent this decade. Were we doing a team of the century thus far Aaron Mclean would be in with a huge shout, however much of his best work came before the turn of the decade. Current front man Ivan Toney is perhaps the most complete forward to play for Posh this decade and will surely go on to big things, but Gayle’s Premier League track record meant to pipped him to the starting spot. Both Britt Assombalonga and Jack Marriott had 30+ goal seasons for Posh and have both done better in the Championship since leaving than Mackail-Smith managed, but neither had the same impact on the club as Mackail-Smith. Conor Washington may also have had a shot of inclusion had he seen out the 2015/16 season, but his January move to QPR derailed Posh’s good start.

Conclusion

So there you have it, my Posh side of the decade is complete. Some players pick themselves, while other selections I’m sure will be hotly contested. Next up will be my Posh anti-XI of the decade, a side which sadly has a number of candidates to pick from.