Peterborough United 2017 Season Preview
A very exciting football season for Peterborough United is about to begin, there was a buzz around the club shop this morning, everybody getting their favorite players name on their back, many have Maddison, many have Taylor, many have Bond, but let's take a look at who will be key for the Posh.
The Posh have had a busy off season in the transfer market, they have signed some top level experienced talent, some young promising talent and some players that have come from the lower leagues, looking to take the same path as now well known players like Dwight Gayle, Britt Assombalonga and Craig Mackail-Smith. I have put a list of the transfers below.
Josh Tibbetts - (Birmingham City) - I, like I would imagine a lot of Posh fans am not to sure who Josh Tibbetts is, I have heard he has had a good pre season in goal, but as Jonathan Bond's new understudy, he has a lot to learn. With Jonathan Bond being on loan and able to be recalled at any point, Josh Tibbetts will have to stay in form and grab any opportunities with two hands.
Danny Lloyd - (Stockport County) - As with Josh Tibbetts, I do not know a great deal about former Stockport County player Danny Lloyd, I struggle to see what his place will be this year with the strikers that have been brought in, but I hope Grant McCann has picked a player with a talent we will see.
Ricky Miller - (Dover Athletic) - Reports of Ricky Miller scoring well against his old club Stamford have been going round this week, and credit to him, lets hope this can be repeated in League One action tomorrow. Including on loan deals, Ricky Miller has played for 22 different clubs, with just 12 of his appearances coming from Football League Two, the highest level he played while at Luton, when he scored 1 league goal from them 12 games. I hopoe I am wrong, but I would feel more confident with Tom Nichols starting number 9 for Peterboorugh United on Saturday. I hope I am wrong and we find that Ricky Miller has a lot to offer.
Jack Marriott - (Luton Town) - Marriott scored 8 goals last season in League Two, a decent player in League Two for Luton Town over the last 2 years, but now it is time to see how he gets on in League One. Jonathan Bond - (Reading) - Although Jonathan Bond is just on loan at the Posh, he is someone who provides a lot of quality and may be a life saver on occassion in goal. Jonathan will be looking forward to having a season as the number 1 in his side and not as a back up keeper.
Michael Doughty - (QPR) - Michael Doughty is talented, but hasn't really had a good run and a long run at a club. I am excited to see him play as a major player, as a consistent first team regular, as he can settle in and live up to his potential.
Liam Shepherd - (Swansea City) - Liam Shepherd will be looking forward to playing for a club as the starting right back as he has only been on loan at Yeovil Town, so he will be looking forward to the season opener at Plymouth Argyle.
Alex Penney - (Nuneaton) - The unknown, I am not sure about Alex Penney and his credentials in this division, but I hope Grant McCann has picked out the correct talent in the future, but I do not know where he will be placed this season and how many games he will play.
Steven Taylor - (Ipswich Town) - The Premier League quality Steven Taylor, who played a lot of games in the Premiership with Newcastle United. He has 215 premiership caps to his name and he is going to be essential to how Peterborough United do this season, he will have to replace MIchael Bostwick, but I would of loved to see them play alongside each other.
Idris Kanu - (Aldershot) - Idris Kanu is a talent and a very promising young player. He will add quality and, is using the Posh as his leap pad, but I am okay wit that. He scored twice for Manchester United Youth, but decided he wanted to play senior football instead of academy and he finds himself at the Posh. He played a full season, starting upfront for Aldershot, at aged just 16. Expect Idris Kanu to be featured a lot during this season, he will come on against Plymouth, if he isn't starting already. I have very high hopes for the promising Kanu.
The attraction from players from the lower leagues to join Peterborough United is top level, as they have become the best club around for finding an unkown player and turning him into a Championship player, and any player in the non league will think favorably of Peterborough United.
The negative part for me was the sales of Michael Bostwick and Tom Nichols. Tom Nichols was last seasons top goal scorer for the Posh and it has been a shame to see him go, but the biggest lose for me is Michael Bostwick. Michael Bostwick has been an absolute rock for the boys in blue this year. He has been solid at the back throughout, he has been reliable from the penalty spot, he has a mean free kick and when it gets down to the last few minutes of a tight game, he is the man I would want in the middle of the Posh back 4 or midfield. His replacement is going to have big shoes to fill, both from a playing and from a leadership point of view.
With all of this being said, I am optimistic for a decent Posh season, I don't know about a top half finish, but I will be happy with a mid table finish and bringing through the young players. I am excited to see Leonardo da Silva Lopes and Idris Kanu play throughout the season, and everyone at the ABAX stadium is looking forward the inclusion of Steven Taylor. All that is left to say is Up The Posh...
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