Peterborough have begun the 2021-22 campaign in the worst possible fashion, losing their opening league game 3-0 away at Luton Town last weekend, before suffering a heavy 4-0 loss at home to League One side Plymouth Argyle in the first round of the League Cup on Tuesday, their fifth consecutive exit at this stage.
Manager Darren Ferguson, who had his father Sir Alex Ferguson in attendance against the Green Army, was “embarrassed” by his side’s performance and has urged his players to “toughen up” if they are to quickly turn their fortunes around.
Peterborough’s last campaign in the Championship began with a torrid run of seven straight defeats en route to their relegation in 2012-13. Ferguson cannot afford to have such a terrible run of form once again.
Promoted as League One runners up last season, the Posh were known for their attacking prowess scoring 83 goals in their 46 league matches, more than any other side in the division.
With Jonson Clarke-Harris, who was the league’s top goalscorer with 31 strikes to his name, leading the line once again this season, Ferguson will be hopeful that he and the other attacking players around their central striker can find their form quickly in front of goal.
After earning a respectable 1-1 draw at home against Huddersfield Town with a threadbare senior squad, Derby County followed that up with a 5-3 victory on penalties against League Two side Salford City, in a game which ended as an entertaining 3-3 draw in 90 minutes.
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The Rams went 2-0 down in the first 14 minutes, but were able to draw level when Colin Kazim-Richards converted from the spot in the 71st minute.
Josh Morris scored his second of the game, also from the penalty spot, just three minutes later to put the visitors back in front, before a brilliant strike from debutant Ravel Morrison took the tie to penalties, with youngster Louie Watson then scoring the decisive spot-kick to send the Rams through.
Wayne Rooney described their penalty shootout win as his “proudest moment” as a manager to date and was delighted with how his side came from behind in front of their own supporters
