Posh report

[gledholt terrier]

htfcreports.com/2024/08/11/its-been-a-while/


It’s been a while.

A while since Town opened the season with a win.

A while since a comfortable, drama free away victory.

A while since the team looked coherent, unified and competent.

Caution abounds, of course, and the first 20 minutes of the opener were far less comfortable than the remainder of the game, but there were so many positive pointers it is difficult not to get slightly carried away.

Peterborough are historically tough to beat at London Road, regularly compete at the top end of League 1 and hold more than a few demons for their visitors, but to say they are a work in progress would be being quite kind to an ultimately weak display. It is also fair to say that they have significant injury problems at the back, which were exposed on a regular basis after the break.

Their initial, and predictable, early enthusiasm rather pushed Town on to the back foot, whose cause was not helped by constantly conceding free kicks for niggly, often unnecessary, infringements, easily spotted by an unfairly maligned referee.

The majority of promising openings in the first half hour fell to the home side though Nicholls, a commanding figure throughout, was barely troubled by the resultant attempts on goal.

The seeds of Posh’s destruction were evident, however, even during their most productive period, as Town constantly undermined their attempts to play out from the back with an effective, if too often illegal, press.

With a makeshift, youthful, back four, the strategy looked fraught with danger from early on and, commendable as it was to stick to their identity, it increasingly stifled the hosts’ threat on the counter. When they did go more direct, they looked a little more threatening.

But goals change games and Town’s opener, a little against the run of play, signalled a massive power shift.

Evans, the most impressive Terrier across the piece, latched on to an excellent pull back from Wiles and though a deflection added a slice of luck to the opener, he hit it cleanly and purposefully and profited from finding the space in the first place.

Posh never really recovered from the blow while Town grew in stature and landed a second blow just before half time to demoralise their opponent even further.

A corner found its way to Koroma who wriggled around to create a shooting opportunity only for it to be blocked before falling very nicely for Wiles to drill home emphatically.

Flattering as the scoreline was at half time, the 15 minutes of dominance all over the pitch after the half hour mark was very encouraging, as was the shape and substance of a midfield, in stark contrast to last season’s mess.

Miller and Sorensen offered width which was a little under utilised, while Evans and the resurgent Wiles provided guile in front of Hogg’s energetic (if too often misplaced) graft.

With a throttle hold on the contest, Town dominated after the break with an aggressive and hugely effective press forcing Peterborough in to error after error, and other than a brief scare when Spencer conceded possession carelessly which led to a half chance, the home side were entirely subdued.

Town chances didn’t particularly flow from their superiority, but Helik looked a little unfortunate to have a third ruled out for offside, possibly against a colleague and substitute Ward eschewed at least 2 opportunities to shoot when put through late on.

Healey and Koroma worked hard up front without seeing many opportunities, but strengthening forward options, as evidenced by the loan move late last week and continuing interest in Luton’s Joe Taylor suggests, is essential if a realistic promotion challenge is to be maintained.

A lack of pace at the back, very nearly exploited on occasion by a generally becalmed opposition, also needs to be resolved but, for the moment, it is enough to enjoy an ultimately comfortable away win after the deluge of misery the past few seasons have delivered.

Kane’s late cameo in place of Evans was a welcome reminder of the depth of midfield options now available to Duff, who should also have been impressed with Kasumu’s short deputisation of Hogg, who will surely be used more sparingly in this campaign. His experience was worth utilising here as the team finds its competitive legs, but progress will be evident when it isn’t needed at all.

A very promising start.

[Macduff]

Cheers Martin. Good stuff as usual.

[Terrier Ramone]

Really enjoy your reports, thank you.

[detox]

a good summation...

[turbo2]

The free kicks given away were weak as piss. They were simply throwing themselves to the ground with any contact. It’s not netball.

After 20 mins or so the ref decided it was a contact sport and started to let the game flow.

[nickhtafc82]

Aug 11, 2024 10:26:54 GMT 1 turbo2 said:

The free kicks given away were weak as piss. They were simply throwing themselves to the ground with any contact. It’s not netball.

After 20 mins or so the ref decided it was a contact sport and started to let the game flow.

The ref had an appalling first half, absolute joke.

[dxterrier]

Not a great game by any means, but we won and didn't get up to full stride IMO. Like the look of Miller and think he could be a good threat. Both goals seemed to come from the training ground which could yeild a few goals(until teams suss it out). Koroma/healy making a nuisance of themselves in the box, drawing in more defenders leaving wiles/evans free on edge of box.
Defence still looks a little slow to be fair and the passing still looks weak
However we won, and seemed to get a bit of the rub of the green, something we got very little of last season. I think and hope we have a few more gears than we had yesterday and need more attacking threat but a win is a win and would take 45 more games like that

[Headless Chicken]

Aug 11, 2024 10:26:54 GMT 1 turbo2 said:

The free kicks given away were weak as piss. They were simply throwing themselves to the ground with any contact. It’s not netball.

After 20 mins or so the ref decided it was a contact sport and started to let the game flow.

I'd have accepted it 2 or 3 seasons ago, because we were arguably somewhat niggly, especially Evans and Miller, but refs are thankfully meant to be letting things go a bit more.....so agree.

[Dillinger]

2-0 did flatter us as half time, but 2-0 flattered them at full time..

I'd like to see us taking a bit more care with the ball, and fewer instances of losing possession unavoidably..

I'm also not 100% sure if I see Healey and Koroma as an effective partnership, although time and games will tell - would've been really good if one of them had got a goal yesterday.

But a great afternoon, quick shout-out to the Peterborough fans too; spoke to a few before and after the game, all were pretty sound...

[deucebigalow77]

Aug 11, 2024 9:11:21 GMT 1 gledholt terrier said:

htfcreports.com/2024/08/11/its-been-a-while/


It’s been a while.

A while since Town opened the season with a win.

A while since a comfortable, drama free away victory.

A while since the team looked coherent, unified and competent.

Caution abounds, of course, and the first 20 minutes of the opener were far less comfortable than the remainder of the game, but there were so many positive pointers it is difficult not to get slightly carried away.

Peterborough are historically tough to beat at London Road, regularly compete at the top end of League 1 and hold more than a few demons for their visitors, but to say they are a work in progress would be being quite kind to an ultimately weak display. It is also fair to say that they have significant injury problems at the back, which were exposed on a regular basis after the break.

Their initial, and predictable, early enthusiasm rather pushed Town on to the back foot, whose cause was not helped by constantly conceding free kicks for niggly, often unnecessary, infringements, easily spotted by an unfairly maligned referee.

The majority of promising openings in the first half hour fell to the home side though Nicholls, a commanding figure throughout, was barely troubled by the resultant attempts on goal.

The seeds of Posh’s destruction were evident, however, even during their most productive period, as Town constantly undermined their attempts to play out from the back with an effective, if too often illegal, press.

With a makeshift, youthful, back four, the strategy looked fraught with danger from early on and, commendable as it was to stick to their identity, it increasingly stifled the hosts’ threat on the counter. When they did go more direct, they looked a little more threatening.

But goals change games and Town’s opener, a little against the run of play, signalled a massive power shift.

Evans, the most impressive Terrier across the piece, latched on to an excellent pull back from Wiles and though a deflection added a slice of luck to the opener, he hit it cleanly and purposefully and profited from finding the space in the first place.

Posh never really recovered from the blow while Town grew in stature and landed a second blow just before half time to demoralise their opponent even further.

A corner found its way to Koroma who wriggled around to create a shooting opportunity only for it to be blocked before falling very nicely for Wiles to drill home emphatically.

Flattering as the scoreline was at half time, the 15 minutes of dominance all over the pitch after the half hour mark was very encouraging, as was the shape and substance of a midfield, in stark contrast to last season’s mess.

Miller and Sorensen offered width which was a little under utilised, while Evans and the resurgent Wiles provided guile in front of Hogg’s energetic (if too often misplaced) graft.

With a throttle hold on the contest, Town dominated after the break with an aggressive and hugely effective press forcing Peterborough in to error after error, and other than a brief scare when Spencer conceded possession carelessly which led to a half chance, the home side were entirely subdued.

Town chances didn’t particularly flow from their superiority, but Helik looked a little unfortunate to have a third ruled out for offside, possibly against a colleague and substitute Ward eschewed at least 2 opportunities to shoot when put through late on.

Healey and Koroma worked hard up front without seeing many opportunities, but strengthening forward options, as evidenced by the loan move late last week and continuing interest in Luton’s Joe Taylor suggests, is essential if a realistic promotion challenge is to be maintained.

A lack of pace at the back, very nearly exploited on occasion by a generally becalmed opposition, also needs to be resolved but, for the moment, it is enough to enjoy an ultimately comfortable away win after the deluge of misery the past few seasons have delivered.

Kane’s late cameo in place of Evans was a welcome reminder of the depth of midfield options now available to Duff, who should also have been impressed with Kasumu’s short deputisation of Hogg, who will surely be used more sparingly in this campaign. His experience was worth utilising here as the team finds its competitive legs, but progress will be evident when it isn’t needed at all.

A very promising start.

Thanks Gledholt, great report

[townarentbest]

Bit early to be declaring Wiles resurgence methinks.

He had a good 20minutes.

[Wagner Uber Alles]

Aug 11, 2024 16:22:09 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

Bit early to be declaring Wiles resurgence methinks.

He had a good 20minutes.

He actually had a very decent pre-season too, scored a couple against decent sides from Germany and Italy I seem to recall.

I agree it's fairly early days, but now with the right manager and team spirit Wiles may be as good a new signing for us.

[softboy]

Great report. Thanks. The high pressing will def catch us out from time to time. As Duff said afterwards at 2 0 up you go for a 3rdas if you sit back and concede anything can happen.

[28901]

Aug 11, 2024 9:11:21 GMT 1 gledholt terrier said:

htfcreports.com/2024/08/11/its-been-a-while/


It’s been a while.

A while since Town opened the season with a win.

A while since a comfortable, drama free away victory.

A while since the team looked coherent, unified and competent.

Caution abounds, of course, and the first 20 minutes of the opener were far less comfortable than the remainder of the game, but there were so many positive pointers it is difficult not to get slightly carried away.

Peterborough are historically tough to beat at London Road, regularly compete at the top end of League 1 and hold more than a few demons for their visitors, but to say they are a work in progress would be being quite kind to an ultimately weak display. It is also fair to say that they have significant injury problems at the back, which were exposed on a regular basis after the break.

Their initial, and predictable, early enthusiasm rather pushed Town on to the back foot, whose cause was not helped by constantly conceding free kicks for niggly, often unnecessary, infringements, easily spotted by an unfairly maligned referee.

The majority of promising openings in the first half hour fell to the home side though Nicholls, a commanding figure throughout, was barely troubled by the resultant attempts on goal.

The seeds of Posh’s destruction were evident, however, even during their most productive period, as Town constantly undermined their attempts to play out from the back with an effective, if too often illegal, press.

With a makeshift, youthful, back four, the strategy looked fraught with danger from early on and, commendable as it was to stick to their identity, it increasingly stifled the hosts’ threat on the counter. When they did go more direct, they looked a little more threatening.

But goals change games and Town’s opener, a little against the run of play, signalled a massive power shift.

Evans, the most impressive Terrier across the piece, latched on to an excellent pull back from Wiles and though a deflection added a slice of luck to the opener, he hit it cleanly and purposefully and profited from finding the space in the first place.

Posh never really recovered from the blow while Town grew in stature and landed a second blow just before half time to demoralise their opponent even further.

A corner found its way to Koroma who wriggled around to create a shooting opportunity only for it to be blocked before falling very nicely for Wiles to drill home emphatically.

Flattering as the scoreline was at half time, the 15 minutes of dominance all over the pitch after the half hour mark was very encouraging, as was the shape and substance of a midfield, in stark contrast to last season’s mess.

Miller and Sorensen offered width which was a little under utilised, while Evans and the resurgent Wiles provided guile in front of Hogg’s energetic (if too often misplaced) graft.

With a throttle hold on the contest, Town dominated after the break with an aggressive and hugely effective press forcing Peterborough in to error after error, and other than a brief scare when Spencer conceded possession carelessly which led to a half chance, the home side were entirely subdued.

Town chances didn’t particularly flow from their superiority, but Helik looked a little unfortunate to have a third ruled out for offside, possibly against a colleague and substitute Ward eschewed at least 2 opportunities to shoot when put through late on.

Healey and Koroma worked hard up front without seeing many opportunities, but strengthening forward options, as evidenced by the loan move late last week and continuing interest in Luton’s Joe Taylor suggests, is essential if a realistic promotion challenge is to be maintained.

A lack of pace at the back, very nearly exploited on occasion by a generally becalmed opposition, also needs to be resolved but, for the moment, it is enough to enjoy an ultimately comfortable away win after the deluge of misery the past few seasons have delivered.

Kane’s late cameo in place of Evans was a welcome reminder of the depth of midfield options now available to Duff, who should also have been impressed with Kasumu’s short deputisation of Hogg, who will surely be used more sparingly in this campaign. His experience was worth utilising here as the team finds its competitive legs, but progress will be evident when it isn’t needed at all.

A very promising start.

Good to have you back

[sapphireblue]

Not a mention of any Oakham Inferno being inbibed.

[Deleted]

Aug 11, 2024 17:30:46 GMT 1 Wagner Uber Alles said:

Aug 11, 2024 16:22:09 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

Bit early to be declaring Wiles resurgence methinks.

He had a good 20minutes.

He actually had a very decent pre-season too, scored a couple against decent sides from Germany and Italy I seem to recall.

I agree it's fairly early days, but now with the right manager and team spirit Wiles may be as good a new signing for us.

[br

He currently doesn’t have an injury and is fully fit going in to the season which makes a massive difference, Wiles is a player and will show it this season.

[four4two]

Aug 11, 2024 16:22:09 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

Bit early to be declaring Wiles resurgence methinks.

He had a good 20minutes.

can’t agree with that. He’s the player we hoped when we signed him. For the last time, he was carrying an injury throughout last season.

[gledholt terrier]

Aug 11, 2024 17:56:54 GMT 1 sapphireblue said:

Not a mention of any Oakham Inferno being inbibed.

Had to stick to Citra (wife in tow) at Charters which was excellent in the sunshine.

Wonky Donkey too far away but enjoyed a beer and curry at Tap and Tandoor - a craft beer/curry house mash up. Curry was very decent for down south.”

[Detective Boyle]

Doesn’t matter that Evans’ goal was deflected. He had the great technique to control his shot and keep it low. Other similar players eg Rudoni would have skied that

[Tinpot]

At the end of last season I thought Wiles was a busted flush. That his injuries had fucked him permanently and he'd be out of his depth in Lg2, let alone Lg1. Nonetheles, I'd heard - and seen on highlights - that Wiles looked a different animal in preseason. Even so I thought he'd be on the bench.

As it happens he was well worth his place in the side yesterday. Best performance I've seen from him by a country mile. Although that is damning him with faint praise.

What I saw yesterday was the player I thought we'd signed 12 months ago. It's only 1 game, but I was impressed.

[brixham]

It's been a while since....

Words like "guile" "resurgent" and "eschewed" graced a Town report

An encouraging start to the season both from the on-pitch performance and to have Martin back in the saddle with an engaging and eloquent dispatch.

[Tinpot]

As for Evans' goal, I couldn't tell in real time whether it took a deflection off their defender or whether it just bounced awkwardly for the keeper after he hit it into the floor.

Having seen it on slow-mo replay - it was the former.

[sapphireblue]

Aug 11, 2024 18:42:56 GMT 1 gledholt terrier said:

Aug 11, 2024 17:56:54 GMT 1 sapphireblue said:

Not a mention of any Oakham Inferno being inbibed.

Had to stick to Citra (wife in tow) at Charters which was excellent in the sunshine.

Wonky Donkey too far away but enjoyed a beer and curry at Tap and Tandoor - a craft beer/curry house mash up. Curry was very decent for down south.”

Inferno(4.0) is lower ABV than Citra(4.2).

H and I will have to discover the Wonky Donkey one Friday.

[Deleted]

Aug 11, 2024 16:22:09 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

Bit early to be declaring Wiles resurgence methinks.

He had a good 20minutes.

He has looked great all through pre-season and followed that up yesterday. Great to see.

[harri54]

Aug 11, 2024 19:31:48 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

As for Evans' goal, I couldn't tell in real time whether it took a deflection off their defender or whether it just bounced awkwardly for the keeper after he hit it into the floor.

Having seen it on slow-mo replay - it was the former.

It clearly bounced off the pitch, but then may have just slightly clipped the defender's heal, but an angle change in flight of the ball on passing the heal is difficult to determine IMO.

[Tinpot]

Aug 11, 2024 21:37:08 GMT 1 harri54 said:

Aug 11, 2024 19:31:48 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

As for Evans' goal, I couldn't tell in real time whether it took a deflection off their defender or whether it just bounced awkwardly for the keeper after he hit it into the floor.

Having seen it on slow-mo replay - it was the former.

It clearly bounced off the pitch, but then may have just slightly clipped the defender's heal, but an angle change in flight of the ball on passing the heal is difficult to determine IMO.

Watch slowed down highlights on YouTube.

It's difficult to tell at normal speed even on replays, but if you stick it on 0.25 speed it does clip their defender on the way in.

[townarentbest]

Aug 11, 2024 21:02:57 GMT 1 @bluesandtwos said:

Aug 11, 2024 16:22:09 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

Bit early to be declaring Wiles resurgence methinks.

He had a good 20minutes.

He has looked great all through pre-season and followed that up yesterday. Great to see.

Not in the 90 mins of pre season I saw, the same negative character traits were demonstrated despite good few minutes at Guiseley. Good 20 mins yesterday...hopefully he can crack on but any suggestion he's in a resurgence or is some kind of hero is massively overstated currently. Average, with three other Town midfielders having better games.

[harri54]

Aug 11, 2024 22:09:44 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

Aug 11, 2024 21:37:08 GMT 1 harri54 said:

It clearly bounced off the pitch, but then may have just slightly clipped the defender's heal, but an angle change in flight of the ball on passing the heal is difficult to determine IMO.

Watch slowed down highlights on YouTube.

It's difficult to tell at normal speed even on replays, but if you stick it on 0.25 speed it does clip their defender on the way in.

I did just that myself, and at 5 times magnification, still could not be sure it deflected of the heal if it touched it.

[Captainslapper]

Aug 11, 2024 19:14:46 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

At the end of last season I thought Wiles was a busted flush. That his injuries had fucked him permanently and he'd be out of his depth in Lg2, let alone Lg1. Nonetheles, I'd heard - and seen on highlights - that Wiles looked a different animal in preseason. Even so I thought he'd be on the bench.

As it happens he was well worth his place in the side yesterday. Best performance I've seen from him by a country mile. Although that is damning him with faint praise.

What I saw yesterday was the player I thought we'd signed 12 months ago. It's only 1 game, but I was impressed.

Yeah, think we're going to see the player this season that we expected to be buying.
As his confidence grows, think he'll get better and better.

[nickhtafc82]

Wiles has been excellent preseason. Scored 3 goals prior to his goal on Saturday if i remember correctly.

Looked to be struggling until he setup Evans, then never looked back.

His celebration said everything.

Well done Ben, can truly see him kicking on and playing a vital role.