Peterborough United

v Wrexham

Saturday 10 February 2007

 

Kick Off @ 15:00



The Match

It is difficult to imagine at the start of the year that this game would see Darren Ferguson and Kevin Russell on the Posh bench with Brian Carey standing alone for Wrexham with Denis Smith no longer in charge.

Both novice managers are yet to taste a win yet in their new roles but Wrexham are actually fairing better as we have only gone ten games without a win compared to Posh who are 12 games without tasting victory. Something has to give!

Pitch Inspection?

As of Friday night there is no mention of a pitch inspection on the Peterborough Official web site but you are best double checking before setting off.

The Posh

Rooster and FergieDarren Ferguson has had a difficult start to life in management as Posh have still struggled with their poor form since his arrival from Wrexham in mid January.

 

Peterborough fought back from 2-0 down in the second half to level matters at Bristol Rovers last weekend but they then conceded a last minute winner direct from a free kick - a result that leaves The Posh in 14th position with 39 points from 31 games.

 

Peterborough's form at home has not been the best this season and they are ranked 20th overall with only five wins from 15 games. Their last win in all competitions came at Rochdale in early December but the last win at London Road was a 5-2 demolishing of now bottom Torquay back in November.

 

Peterborough were doing well up to this point and occupied a play off spot but have dropped down to mid table mainly due to a run of eight straight defeats that was only ended with a home draw against Swindon two weeks a go.

 

Peterborough parted company with manager Keith Alexander on the 15th of January after results plummeted following an encouraging start. New chairman Darragh MacAnthony took charge of Posh in mid October and set a optimistic plan of reaching the Premiership within a decade but has backed his managers with significant funds being made available in the transfer window.

 

£800,000 was spent on new signings Josh Low, George Boyd, Aarlon MacLean and Micah Hyde by Alexander and Ferguson has since signed Shane Blackett and Craig Mackail-Smith from Dagenham & Redbridge, taking their tally to five Conference signings during the window, and Gavin Strachan has also joined from Hartlepool on a free transfer.

 

Craig MorganThe signing off Mackail-Smith has been surrounded in controversy with the striker going AWOL for his first week with the club with Posh ready to sue the striker and his agent for breach of contract but this has all been put behind them after he turned up for training this week.

 

Wrexham will also come up against defender Craig Morgan who has joined Peterborough prior to Ferguson's arrival with the defender also spending a month on loan at the Racecourse earlier on this season.

 

Top scorer for Peterborough is Danny Crow with 10 goals this season although he is supported by Trevor Benjamin on 9 and Aaron McLean

Past Encounters

Last 5 Meetings

Aug 06: Wrexham 0 Posh 0
Nov 05: Wrexham 1 Posh 1
Oct 05: Posh 1 Wrexham 1
Jan 05: Posh 2 Wrexham 2
Oct 04: Wrexham 1 Posh 1

The last five games between the two teams have all ended in draws but the last win went to Posh in emphatic style with a 6-1 win at London Road back in March 2004.

 

Wrexham's last win at London Road was back in 2002 with Hector Sam scoring an injury time penalty in the 3-2 win.

 

The game at the Racecourse ended goalless back in August and this takes the total number of league draws to 16 in 51 games with Peterborough still on 20 wins compared to Wrexham's 15 in the league.

League Form Guide

Team Last 5 Games League Position Form Position Last Win
Wrexham LDDLL 23rd 22nd 9 games
Peterborough LLLDL 14th 24th 11 games

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Wrexham include on loan Everton keeper John Ruddy in the squad after paperwork was completed in time but red tape has ruled striker Michael Carvill out of the squad but Scott Barron does make it after signing on a month's loan from Ipswich. The timing of these additional signings is welcome as we have three players suspended for the visit to Peterborough and a four down after Paul Mitchell was recalled by MK Dons last week. Chris Llewellyn and Ryan Valentine begin bans for picking up five and ten bookings respectively this season and Mackin is suspended after being sent off for the reserves.

Peterborough Team News: Posh are without defenders Guy Branston (calf) and Adam Smith (hamstring) whilst striker Trevor Benjamin is set to join Boston on a month's loan and Lloyd Opara has been released after being surplus to requirements. Striker Craig Mackail-Smith is included in the squad after his protracted move from Dagenham & Redbridge was finally resolved this week.

Other Games

League 2 Fixtures:

Barnet v Accrington Stanley
Chester v Hereford
Darlington v Boston United
Grimsby v Bristol Rovers
Hartlepool v Walsall
Lincoln City v Torquay
MK Dons v Macclesfield
Peterborough v Wrexham
Rochdale v Swindon
Shrewsbury v Bury
Stockport v Mansfield
Wycombe v Notts County

All of the bottom four face away trips this weekend with fifth bottom Grimsby at home to Bristol Rovers and they will be looking to build on the 6-0 thumping of Boston last weekend.

The Pilgrims dropped to fourth bottom as a result and they make the short trip north to face Darlington with third bottom Macclesfield having a difficult trip to MK Dons.

Bottom placed Torquay also have a tricky task with a visit to fifth placed Lincoln.

 

Venue Guide

Address: London Road Ground, London Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 8AL.

Telephone Number: 01733 563947

Fax Number: 01733 344140

Peterborough Websites

How to get there?

By Car: From Head south from Wrexham on the A483, A5 and M54 until you join the M6 southbound. Stay on the M6 until you reach junction 1 where you leave here and join the A14 towards Kettering. After 30 miles turn left at junction 13 to join the A605 and follow this road, taking care with the numerous speed cameras, until it meets with the junction of the A1(M) where you go straight on at the roundabout onto the A1139 Fletton Parkway into Peterborough. Leave at the third junction turning left at the roundabout onto the A1260 and at the first junction on this road turning right at the roundabout and at the next roundabout head left onto Shrewsbury Avenue. You will then come to a T-junction by Longueville Autos where you turn right onto the A605 Oundle Road and after a mile the Council Car Park will be on your left. The ground will then be a short walk away to your right further up this road. Take care as there is a high number of speed cameras on the road to Peterborough. Allow at least 3 hours from Wrexham for a normal journey that will take 165 miles but this is not a normal journey...

Weather Watch: A severe weather warning is in place for Wrexham and Shropshire by the Met office until Friday night due to the heavy snow which will make travelling by road difficult come the morning. There is no warning in place in the remaining parts of the West Midlands and Cambridgeshire for tomorrow but it is advisable to allow for an extended journey time.

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Peterborough and is about a mile away from the ground and will take you 20 minutes to walk. Turn right out of the station into the car park and follow steps onto the main road and then right by passing the Evening Telegraph on your left and the ASDA store on your right. Turn right near the traffic lights by Woolworths into Bridge Street and go straight over the railway bridge and the mini-roundabout. You will now see the floodlights and follow this road to London Road on your left. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

When you are there
Car Parking: The council car park off the directions above costs only £1.50 and there is a car park at the ground but this costs £4.00. The Cherry Tree Pub charge £2.00 to park your car there but you get this money back off your pint if you show your parking ticket.

Beer and Grub: The Cherry Tree pub is popular with away fans and is located just before the entrance to the council car park. The Peacock is the only other pub nearby and be found by heading down London Road past the ground and is located to the right of the traffic lights by the KFC. There are other alternatives in the town centre under 10 minutes away.

Cash Machines: There are a selection of machines at the ASDA store on your way to the ground.

How much to get in?

Main Stand: Adults £18, OAPs/Students £10, Under 16s £9. This stand was only open on our recent visits to London Road but they have been midweek fixtures.

Moyes End Terrace: Adults £13, OAPs/Students £10, Under 16s £9.

Disabled Facilities

There are 30 parking spaces are available but these must be pre booked by contacting Debby Corry on 01733 563947. There are 10 away spaces in the elevated area of the terrace which does improve the view of the pitch. Adapted toilets and catering are located at the far end of the Thomas Cook Family Stand but this is quite a trek for away fans. There are 2 visual spaces located in the press box. There are unlimited ambulant spaces in the North Stand on request with helpers sitting alongside.

Weather Forecast

Light rain with temperatures reaching only 3 degrees Celsius and a 8 mph easterly wind.