Ferguson: Peterborough players in ‘really good place’ after Oxford thrashing

Posted Sunday, February 09, 2020 by PA

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson hailed his side’s desire and determination to dismantle promotion rivals Oxford 4-0 despite playing the final 27 minutes with a man less.

A brace from leading scorer Ivan Toney in-between strikes from Siriki Dembele and Josh Knight saw Posh claim a fifth successive league win and keep them hot heels of top two Rotherham and Wycombe.

Two of Peterborough’s goals came after defender Nathan Thompson was sent off in the 63rd minute, and the result and performance left Ferguson delighted.

The Posh manager, who celebrates his 48th birthday on Sunday, said: “It was a fantastic performance from my team. We did not start the game great, it was a bit bitty.

“I thought the first goal was important, and from the moment we got the first goal we dominated and should have been more than one up at half-time.

“We got the second goal and were really in the ascendency. The ref then makes a game of it by making a decision like that (sending Thompson off). But we were outstanding and had the desire and determination to win.

“The third goal was massive for us and the fourth goal shows what we are all about. We’ve now scored four against Wycombe, Ipswich and Oxford. The players are in a really good place.

“To get a performance like that is far better than winning a game where you pass the ball to death. The fans were also fantastic.”

Ferguson was booked by referee Andy Haines, who he labelled “very inconsistent”.

Dembele opened the scoring from inside the area in the 36th minute after being played in by Sammie Szmodics.

Posh deservedly doubled their lead 11 minutes into the second half after a superb break involving five players ended with Szmodics sliding in a cross from the left and Toney stabbing in at the back post.

Thompson then received a second yellow card for tripping Marcus Browne, but Peterborough’s 10 men powered on and added two more goals.

Toney netted his 23rd goal of the season by poking in a Dan Butler free-kick after 77 minutes, and then deep into stoppage time the striker played a sublime cross-field ball to Szmodics who squared it for Knight to calmly finish.

Oxford, who are hunting a play-off spot, had played 120 minutes in the FA Cup midweek, losing 3-2 against Newcastle.

And manager Karl Robinson said: “It’s not a good week when you lose on the Saturday.

“(Tiredness) is not an excuse. They all felt fine before the game so you can’t say we lost because we were tired. We were just off it in all areas which is very unlike us.

“It’s a rarity that performance but we were probably due one. I’ve only seen it once or twice this season. We were beaten in all areas.

“We need to make sure we move forward. There are a lot of games to go and lots and lots of football to play.

“You can’t let it make you feel down, we need to use it as motivation.

“I’m getting them in on Sunday to get them recovered and then we can make sure when we come in on Monday we only talk about Burton next.”