Darren Ferguson felt Peterborough should have won by more at Shrewsbury

Posted Saturday, August 17, 2024 by PA

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson believed his side should have scored more despite easing to a 4-1 League One victory at Shrewsbury.

The hosts went ahead just past the 20-minute mark through a thunderous 25-yard strike from Carl Winchester.

It took Posh just two minutes to restore parity as Kwame Poku levelled and his curling effort then put the visitors ahead.

Peterborough sealed all three points as Joel Randall scored twice in three minutes.

Ferguson said: “I thought the score line didn’t flatter us – I thought it could have been more.

“We got over the disappointment of going behind very quickly. I thought that was important, but overall really pleased with the team’s performance.

“I thought we started the second half a little bit sloppy. They put more of a press on, so once we worked that out, we were okay.

“Overall, it was about the confidence and the team performance as I thought it was really good.

“When he (Poku) plays like that, and he is that good, and he has got that intensity in his game, then there isn’t anyone better in this league in that position.

“Which is unfortunate for some of my wide players because it was a tough decision leaving Cian (Hayes) out because he was one of our best players at Oxford.

“The most important thing for the team and the new boys was to get the win, no matter how we did it, but it was good the way we did it because it was enjoyable to watch.”

Shrewsbury head coach Paul Hurst felt they shot themselves in the foot.

Hurst said: “I’m massively disappointed in terms of the scoreline and the way that the game finished.

“We know what we were up against, and I said that yesterday and at times, they certainly highlighted that, but for quite a big period of the game we were in the game.

“We had one (effort) cleared off the line at 2-1, and for myself I will take responsibility in terms of we put a lot of attacking players on to try and get something from the game.

“As a result, it perhaps influenced how the game finished to a degree, but I still think the flipside to that the (players) have to take responsibility in terms of the players that were out there.

“The fourth goal 100 per cent is avoidable. If I said it was Sunday League, then it would be disrespectful to Sunday League.

“It was a ridiculous goal to give away, and it just adds to the scoreline and how it looks now.”