Posh Boss Darren Ferguson On Tomorrow

Last updated : 17 October 2008 By Thetashkentterror
Darren Ferguson
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson spoke to the Evening Telegraph and his club's official website about tomorrow's match against Carlisle at Brunton Park, Ferguson wondering whether on-loan defender Gaby Zakuani will be available after being on international duty in Malawi with the Democratic Republic of Congo during the week :


"We've had three great results and moved into a good position in the table, but, although we are getting there, we have more to offer. We look good going forward and we've been very strong at the back despite making several defensive changes, but I want us to push on now and get in the top six.

"We will travel to Carlisle with a lot of confidence, but also wary that we must keep our standards up. If we are not 'at it' for 90 minutes we will get beaten as we proved against Dagenham. Carlisle are not in a good run of form, but I watched their defeat at MK Dons last weekend and they could have been 3-0 up after 30 minutes.

"They reached the play-offs last season and I would be amazed if they didn't challenge again. Carlisle is obviously another difficult game, even if they have lost the previous five league games. They will be a bit of a wounded animal and I am sure they will come out fighting. Carlisle was always a difficult place to go when I was a player and I am sure things are no different now.

"Gaby (Zakuani) arrived back in the country after a 15-hour flight yesterday and was naturally very tired. I'll be speaking to Craig (Morgan) to see how he is on the way to Carlisle. I know in my own mind what I'm going to do with the defence, but the rest of you will find out on Saturday.

"Aaron Mclean and Shane Blackett are both in the matchday sixteen for the weekend game but I will make the decision on the final starting line-up as late as possible. Everyone is looking forward to the game, we are full of confidence and raring to go."



In team news for the Posh winger Chris Whelpdale is fit again after picking up a knock in their game against Walsall last weekend. Craig Morgan (Wales) and Gabriel Zakuani (DR Congo) are back in contention after international duty, while Aaron Mclean and Shane Blackett have both recovered from respective dislocations to the elbow and shoulder.

On the other side of the coin though midfielders Dean Keates and Sergio Torres (both knee), central defender Chris Westwood (calf) and left-back Jamie Day (back) are all out tomorrow. Another two players absent for the visitors being two players sent out on loan for a month this week, centre-half Kieran Charnock having joined Accrington Stanley while striker Scott Rendell had agreed to join Luton only to change his mind and move to Yeovil instead.

Peterborough, backed by multi-millionaire owner Darragh MacAnthony, are never shy of making new signings and they have been on the trial of two more players recently. The duo being 20-year old left-back Craig Braham-Barrett from Welling United and 18-year old striker Kwesi Appiah from Ebbsfleet United.

The Posh were due to set off for Carlisle this morning and are training at Blackburn Rovers before carrying on their journey to Cumbria. One player who will glad of a break from driving though is Aaron McLean, who after pleading guilty to offences including driving without a licence or insurance and while using a mobile phone, somehow escaped a ban and only got a £2,000 fine and nine penalty points on his licence yesterday. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs.

The 25-yard old was issued with a fixed penalty notice in January but then further checks by the police revealed he was a provisional driving licence holder and had no insurance. Then three months later McLean was seen driving the same car in Peterborough while using his mobile phone again.

The Hammersmith-born striker still having no driving licence while also being unable to provide an MOT certificate. McLean was also banned from driving four years ago, after totting up 12 points on his licence, but had apparently not retaken a test since the ban.



The referee for tomorrow's match is Anthony Taylor from Wythenshawe in Greater Manchester, and he will be assisted down the lines by Simon Clayton from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham and Richard Salt from Northallerton in North Yorkshire. Meanwhile the fourth official is that man Paul Simpson from Bishop Auckland in County Durham.