Peterborough United sit rock bottom of League One and former captain Gabriel Zakuani believes there will need to be serious questions asked if results do not pick up in the next two games.
The Posh lost 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday leaving them two points from safety and bottom in goal difference by three goals.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, former Peterborough United favourite emphasised the importance of the next two games but acknowledged the squad is better than when the season started.
“I think the squad is better than how [it was when] the season started.
“I think the break has probably come at a great time for Darren and the staff, to (let them) really sit down and work with the squad, get some sort of understanding, give them extra time to gel, and get some fitness into the players that need it.
“I wouldn’t be too worried, but the longer this goes on it could be a problem.” (via BBC Cambridgeshire).
Peterborough will not host high flying Stevenage this weekend due to international call-ups, but after that the team’s next two fixtures are against the Burton Albion and the now manager-less Blackpool, two teams with them in the relegation zone.
“Those two weeks are enough to give them the blast they need, and the rest they need.
“After that, there literally is no excuse for Darren, for the staff, the players, for anyone. Those two games are potentially must-wins – you’ve got to get at least four points from the two and then you can start to look up the table.
“It’ll be very hard to still be defending the players (if results don’t go well in those two games) and Darren will have to answer serious questions.”
Peterborough United Boss Ferguson and “Soft Goals”
Before heading to the Toughsheet, Peterborough United had lost just won of their last four games, winning back-to-back league games against Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle.
A slip up would follow against Lincoln City but the Posh would recover in the Vertu Trophy, beating Aston Villa’s U21s comprehensively. By all accounts this was Darren Ferguson’s sides best spell of the season so far.
In Saturday’s game, Bolton came out of the blocks flying and Peterborough were 2-0 down in no time. Peter Kioso would reduce the deficit before halftime but the away side could not find the goal they needed in the second half.
I thought we should have got something out of the game,” said Ferguson, who also hit out at the “soft goals” his side conceded.
“Some of the detail, the final pass, that’s an area we’ve really got to improve. It’s really making a difference in the results we’re getting.
“With the team we’ve got, and the quality we’ve got, we are going to create chances but we’ve got to stop giving teams a two-goal lead, because that gives you a right mountain to climb, especially away from home.” (via BBC Sport).
Statistically Peterborough are yet to get going in front of goal but sit lower mid-table when it comes to defensive stats and when you combine the two it makes sense why the Posh have yet to put defining performances together just yet.
Ferguson’s team sit 23rd in the league for shots on target per game with 2.5, 21st in big chances created with 16 and 20th for touches in the opposition box with 194.
Defensively there is room for some optimism, with Peterborough ninth in interceptions per game with 7.3 and 14th for completed tackles per game with 15.
Whilst there is occasional signs this Peterborough United side can earn it’s place in this division, the international break has come at just the right time for Ferguson’s men.
Peterborough United Boss Ferguson and “Soft Goals”
Before heading to the Toughsheet, Peterborough United had lost just won of their last four games, winning back-to-back league games against Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle.
“Won” should be one