Posh have played 180 minutes of pre-season football so far and barring a promising first half against Peterborough Sports it has been a fairly uninspiring and insipid stuff. But does that really matter? Not one iota! It’s also to be expected given the length of the break between Posh’s final league game at home to Portsmouth and their opening friendly away to Stamford.
Moreover, dig a little deeper and there have been a lot of positives to take from Posh’s early season forays. So let’s focus on those instead and ask what have we learnt from these friendlies so far which we perhaps didn’t know before.
Tactical Developments
Midway through last season. When Fergie appeared wedded to a diamond formation which felt constraining to the players in it, many people (rightly) questioned Fergie’s tactical acumen. Since then though the Posh gaffer has been far more flexible in his approach and found clever tactical solutions on a number of occasions.
In the first half against Peterborough Sports we saw perhaps the most fluid and creative incarnation of Posh’s 3-4-1-2 shape to date, which should act as something of a blueprint for how Posh can play without Toney (or an equally physical striker to act as the fulcrum of Posh’s attacks and build-up play).
First, when the ball was deeper, the wingbacks Kanu and Blake-Tracy had very different roles. Kanu stayed high, occupying a right-wing position. Blake-Tracy dropped deeper into a typical left back position while Thompson move from right centre back to right back, a role which he is obviously very familiar. Dembele pulled a little wider and deeper into the inside left channel/half space leaving Posh in a 4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1 shape with width and options to progress the ball both wide and between the lines. We can see this in the screenshots below.
We can see Posh backline shape looks like a traditional back four. Dembele circled has dropped into a LAM position.
Again Posh are in more of a back four with Thompson wider than Kent. Note Kanu’s position high and wide on the opposite side.
From this position as the ball moved up the pitch Blake-Tracy moved high into a left-wing position with Thompson coming inside to form a back three (from where he would occasionally overlap). Dembele and Cooper operated as duel 10s in the half spaces with Rolt central ahead of them. Posh were therefore in what can be best described as a 3-2-4-1 attacking system.
3-2-4-1 shape with Blake-Tracy is just off screen in the left-wing position.
The fluid nature of this system was at times a joy to watch. Cooper and Dembele dovetailed brilliantly, their movement was sharp and effective as they switched positions, collected balls between lines or ran in behind. The shape meant that Posh had excellent options in attack, with players between the lines and across the width of the pitch in each of what tacticians and coaches deem to be the five horizontal zones (left wing, left half space, central zone, right half space, right wing).
The downside of the system? It did leave Posh somewhat open to the counter. Especially when either Thompson overlapped or Boyd, not a natural defender, was left as Posh’s deepest midfielder. Posh also struggled in the second half.
I believe there were three reasons for this drop-off. First, Posh lacked Cooper and Dembele’s creativity and positivity between the lines. Posh have clearly been working on both Ricky-Jade Jones and Eisa’s link play, but neither of them possesses the threat or comfort that Cooper and Dembele have when collecting the ball in front of the opposition defence.
Next, Burrows and Ward were not as effective as Blake-Tracy and Kanu in the wide roles. Neither could match Kanu’s direct running and incision while Posh also missed Blake-Tracy’s energy and intelligence down the left.
Finally, Posh missed the ball carrying and passing ability of Cartwright, Kent and Thompson from the back. All three were happy to carry the ball forward while being positive and accurate with their passing. Beevers is always going to slow play down while neither Mason nor the young trialist (Ronnie Edwards?) could match Kent or Thompson’s impact on the ball, although the trialist did have some good moments driving with the ball out of defence as he grew in confidence and got to grips with an unfamiliar role.
Therefore, for the system to be successful, it appears necessary for Dembele and Cooper to play together. Their understanding, movement, skill and directness on the ball was vital to the success of the system. No other Posh striker can play the role that Dembele played (apart from maybe Kanu, at a push, but he would likely not be as effective). Moreover, Cooper looks like he is going to be far more effective as a ‘10’ than Tasdemir, who continues to flatter to deceive and struggles to impact games despite flashes of clear potential.
Individuals
Going into these two friendlies there were a number of questions surrounding individual players and their roles in the side. We clearly don’t have all the answers yet, however we can start to form an understanding of the roles some of the fringe, younger, new or returning players may be next year. Below is a roundup some of the more interesting dilemmas facing Fergie next season.
George Cooper
Cooper was outstanding last season as an ultra-attacking left wing back for newly promoted Plymouth Argyle, but there still remained a question mark about where/whether he would fit in at Posh. Fergie had intimated he would play as a ‘10’ rather than wing back, and it is there that he has featured so far. It felt as though this pre-season was something akin to a trial for Cooper. Could Fergie trust him? Is he Posh’s long-term answer at ‘10’ or do Posh need to bring in someone else? We’re starting to get the answer to those questions.
In the first game against Stamford his display was somewhat frustrating, although littered with promising moments. He played a good pass for Eisa to create the best chance of the first half. He also demonstrated some nice touches and passing range. However, we also saw his selfish streak. In the image below he blazes a shot over from distance when he should slide Eisa in behind. He also lost his tactical discipline, came deep too often and this resulted in Posh struggling to progress the ball due to a lack of options forward. At one-point Cooper dropping into a deep lying midfield role to then recycle possession sparked Fergie to frustratingly shout “f**king hell play forwards!”. Sadly, it was probably a forward pass to Cooper between the liens which Posh should have been looking to play, but he was the one passing from deep rather than receiving higher up the pitch.
However, against Peterborough Sports we saw some of the best of what Cooper has to offer. He immediately struck up a superb understanding with Dembele. His movement on and off the ball was sharp and effective. He created two and scored one of Posh’s four goals and looked dangerous throughout the 45 minutes. He has the quality to be very effective in League One this season and has now begun the process of stamping his claim on a role in Fergie’s starting XI.
Idris Kanu
Kanu is a player who, in his limited opportunities last season, showed the skill and physical attributes to be a future star at Posh. My concern was where would he fit in? The competition up front meant that he was likely to be way down the pecking order while the 3-4-1-2 formation left no space for a traditional right winger, which is likely his best role.
When Fergie said he saw Kanu as a wing back I was even more worried. Would this limit what he does best, which is drive at defenders with pace and skill in the final third? How much defensive responsibility would he take on?
In the friendly against Stamford these concerns were magnified. Yes, Kanu was understandably rusty and off the pace, but more concerning was his role in the team as Posh struggled to find him in dangerous areas. Against Peterborough Sports these concerns were largely alleviated as his hybrid RWB/RW role became more apparent. While he did sometimes retreat into a back five out of possession, he played much higher in it, primarily taking a touchline hugging right wing position with Thompson covering behind.
This role was better on a number of levels. It suited Kanu’s skillset and got him on the ball in dangerous areas, indeed his powerful run late in the first half led to the fourth goal. Kanu also gave Posh more natural width and an out ball on the right, meaning Posh were able to regularly stretch the Sports defence. It is a role which suits both Kanu and Thompson, while giving the side better balance and width. That’s a win-win in my book and kudos to Fergie for coming up with it!
Dan Gyollai
After Gyollai signed I watched all the footage of him that I could find on Wyscout (it didn’t take long as there wasn’t much). My conclusions: he’s a decent shot stopper with good agility for his size, is positive in both his positioning and speed off his line and decent at passing and receiving with both feet although his handling looked suspect.
In the two games we obviously haven’t seen much of him for me to add to this. He’s made two fine reaction saves, occasionally rushed quickly off his line to mop up danger and while we’ve not seen loads of his distribution he has looked to distribute quickly and accurately. I suspect he will start the season as number two, but he should be a solid backup who can adequately fulfil the demands that Fergie places on his keepers. For a free transfer I’d say that’s pretty good business.
Frazer Blake-Tracy
What a find Blake-Tracy is turning out to be and what a shame it was that his first season was cut short by injury. He has been excellent in both friendlies so far. Against Stamford he played left centre back and was comfortably Posh’s best player in the first half. His range of passing, desire to play forwards and ability to carry the ball out of defence were all on display. Having a left footer at left centre back also gave Posh a balanced look and makes ball progression somewhat easier.
At left wing back against Sports he demonstrated both tactical intelligence and energy in the role. He gave the side a good outlet and forward thrust down the left. I had thought that Posh needed to invest in a left-footed, left sided centre back, but if he continues to put in displays like these early showings, I will have to admit I was wrong as Blake-Tracy could well be the answer in that position!
Louis Reed
Reed was excellent in spells last season and in theory should have all the attributes to be a Darren Ferguson midfielder. Yet it feels as though there is a question mark over his future (personally I think he should have a future at Posh). In truth his two displays thus far have done little for his cause. He was particularly poor against Stamford. His positioning to receive the ball was way off in that game. He constantly looked to receive the ball deep rather than behind the first line of Stamford’s press. This is fine when Posh play with two centre backs but not always necessary, nor helpful, when Posh have three centre backs, especially as the majority of Posh’s centre backs are more than comfortable on the ball. Moreover his long passing, usually a strength, was also off. Therefore, there is a lot to work on if Reed is to get close to challenging for a first team role next season and with Posh still keen to recruit another central midfielder, his future at the club could yet be in doubt.
Mo Eisa
A player who divided opinion last season. He’s probably the best finisher in League One, his movement and positioning in/around the box is excellent but his all-round game left a lot to be desired last season. Posh have clearly been working hard on his link play and getting him to drop between the lines. His first touch looks improved and he’s linked play well on occasion.
However, he still spends too much time with his head down when in between the lines, doesn’t spot passes quickly enough and lacks the passing range to be truly effective in the role Posh are deploying him. He’s trying, but have Posh looked so much better and cohesive with Dembele up top. I reckon his best chance of being a success with the players Posh are currently deploying is as the central striker with Dembele and Cooper operating just behind him. Does he work hard enough or have the physicality to play that role? I’m not sure, but his partnership with Jade Jones still looks a non-starter to me.
Ricky-Jade Jones
I thought he was Posh’s second best player in the first half against Stamford as his pace running the channels caused Stamford constant problems, although Posh became overly reliant on this one move throughout the half. He constantly showed for the ball and tried to link play with his back to goal whereby he was happy to battle with defenders and demonstrated a good first touch. His decision making in the final third also looked much improved and he carried the ball well. His pace and composure in front of goal will always be his main threat but the coaching staff are clearly trying to make him a more rounded player. While his link play has clearly improved, he played safe a little too often and could be more positive in this regard, although it’s clearly not a side of the game which comes naturally for him.
Sam Cartwright
Cartwright got his first team break in the EFL Trophy last season and did OK, but he looks even more confident and at home so far in pre-season operating in the middle of the back three. The lack of pressure from the opposition has allowed him to operate as something of a ‘libero’, carrying the ball confidently out from the back and passing crisply and positively. During limited moments of defending he has also looked aggressive, but we need to see him tested much more before coming to any conclusions regarding his readiness for League One football. Promising signs though and looks like he has the potential to be a classy, modern day centre back.
Harrison Burrows
Burrows has been deployed in an unfamiliar left wing back role and has shown decent energy to get up and down the flank. He’s a player who always seems to do his best work in the opposition half and a player I believe is best suited to playing as a winger who drifts inside or number ‘10’. He’s been neat and tidy in possession and is technically very good. The big question remains whether he can affect games on a regular basis, and his impact on the Sports game was far lower than that of either Blake-Tracy or Kanu. I’m not sure how much game time he can expect this season as I’m not sure the current Posh system suits him, aside from the 10 role where I can’t see him featuring often. A loan move may be his best option in terms of long-term development.
Brad Rolt
The young forward has done okay in his two halves of first team football so far. He’s worked very hard off the ball, made some good runs in behind and held up the ball well on a couple of occasions. Managed to bag a scrappy goal against Stamford. Would like to see him involved more on the ball in future friendlies.
Serhat Tasdemir
Posh had hoped Tademir might step up to challenge Cooper for the starting ‘10’ role but in truth it has been same old Tasdemir thus far. He’s clearly got talent and has shown this in intermittent flashes while his physicality could be a real strength (pardon the pun), but he needs to do more to impact games. Still, let’s reserve judgement for now.
