In a season like no other, it was a brave decision from Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson to stick with the squad he assembled in the summer. With Crewe Alexandra up next, will the risk pay off?

Prior to Posh’s trip to League Two side Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday evening, it was revealed that Ferguson had declined an invitation from his chairman, Darragh MacAnthony, to add a couple of new faces to his squad ahead of the second half of the season.

Fielding a rotated team, the visitors were dumped out of the Papa John’s Trophy via a 2-1 defeat and left many fans doubting their manager’s judgement.

? Sublime from @dannylloyd1 against his former club!

Watch highlights from last night's win here ⬇️#TRFC #SWA

— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) February 3, 2021

The understrength eleven, that featured the likes of Ricky-Jade Jones, Mo Eisa, Idris Kanu, Harrison Burrows and Flynn Clarke, failed to give a reason for Ferguson to pick them for the more important League One matches to come and proved the squad lacks the strength in depth needed to win promotion.

While teams around them have strengthened, Peterborough have arguably weakened with Ryan Broom and Serhat Taşdemir both departing on loan on deadline day.

Last season, Posh were transformed from a misfiring outfit to the best team in League One with the arrival of Sammie Szmodics and Reece Brown on loan and looked nailed on for a place in the playoffs before the third and fourth divisions curtailed.

The decision to reject the chance to inject some fresh legs into the group with such a hectic schedule this campaign may come back to haunt them if any key players get injured.

But the Posh have reasons to be optimistic as they managed to hold onto key asset Siriki Dembélé, remain the best home form in the division – dropping just five points at the Weston Homes Stadium – and the upcoming visit of ninth-placed Crewe this Saturday opens a favourable run of February fixtures.

The Railwaymen are the second-highest placed opponents the Cambridgeshire side will face this month before they host Ipswich Town next Tuesday, with games against mid-table sides Gillingham, Blackpool, AFC Wimbledon, Plymouth Argyle and Wigan Athletic to follow. But this season has already shown how dangerous it is to judge a team solely on their league position.

Last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat away to 17th placed Shrewsbury Town followed Peterborough’s dismal stalemate at home to relegation-battlers Bristol Rovers ending their nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

It was a different story for Crewe who returned to winning ways against the Shrews last weekend following their 1-1 draw with Ipswich and 4-1 blow out away at Gillingham. Despite their defeat two-match weeks ago, David Artell’s men have only lost once in their last 13 matches. ( 6W, 6D, 1L)

This weekend’s clash has also caused calls for concern for the home side considering Crewe comfortably beat the Posh 2-0 in the reserve fixture back in November thanks to goals from Harry Pickering and Charlie Kirk.

However, Kirk, who has been one of the division’s top performers this season with five goals and four assists and attracted major interest from Championship clubs in January, maybe unfit to travel after he was an unused substitute following a hamstring strain.

Midfielder Oliver Finney is also doubtful after he was forced off in the victory midweek.

As for the Posh, they are likely to be without star midfielder Jack Taylor who limped off during last weekends defeat.

However, the hosts will be strengthened with the return of centre back Frankie Kent after he was forced to sit out of the last two games due to concussion concerns.

Speaking to Posh TV head of the game, Ferguson said: “They (Crewe) are having a very good season and expected them to do well.

“They are a team that have been together longer than most, probably three years now they have kept the same group of players. So when you’ve got that and had time to do that it does help.

“I’m not surprised to see them doing well. I spoke about them when we played them (earlier in the season)and we did not turn up.

“I’m fully expecting a much better performance”

If results go their way, Peterborough could end the day third in the table on 46 points. For that to happen, high-flying Doncaster Rovers would have to lose at home to tenth-placed Oxford United and Plymouth would have to beat Portsmouth, which seems unlikely.

Whilst a win for Crewe could see them enter the top-six and play-off contention with them going level on points with Posh on 43. But with three teams above them on 40 points – Sunderland, Accrington and Charlton – this outcome also looks improbable.

One thing that is for certain: the fight for the play-off places is only getting tougher. If Ferguson’s team are condemned to another defeat, a queue will form for those willing to take their place in top-four and their decision to not act in the transfer market will look even more questionable.

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