We can match high-fliers, insists boss

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 03 October 2014


LEE Johnson says only an unexpected red card poses enough of a threat to throw his plans completely off course at Peterborough.

Athletic head to London Road tomorrow with a game plan so finely tuned it has brought only one defeat away from home in more than seven months.

Darren Ferguson’s side start the game as favourites, sitting second in the league. But Athletic hardly enter the fixture as shrinking violets.

Unbeaten in seven and having suddenly hit the goals trail with five in the last three outings, chests are being puffed out at present.

“We go to Peterborough knowing we will be in the game, 100 per cent, barring a disaster where someone gets sent off,” said Johnson.

“Peterborough are always able to spend big on transfer fees so I am not surprised to see them where they are.

“They have struggled in a couple of games and still got results. Maybe they didn’t deserve them. But they have also had games where they have destroyed a couple of teams.

“So we have to go there, be solid and tight, and hope someone can nick us a goal.”

George Elokobi’s absence tomorrow ends a run of eight consecutive matches in which Johnson was able to name the same defensive line-up.

And with two ever-presents in central midfield, Liam Kelly and Mike Jones, the manager’s targeted approach appears to be paying off in consistency terms.

“I don’t want to tempt fate, but we purposely recruited settled personalities,” added Johnson. “You can trust them.”

Danny Philliskirk appears certain to start after his two-goal burst against Scunthorpe, leaving a showdown between Conor Wilkinson and Dominic Poleon for the other spot.

Wilkinson’s all-round play has proved useful, but Poleon’s pace could be more effective in darting behind the Peterborough defence.