Relegation showdown at the Weston Homes Stadium as Posh host Reading

This week is one of the biggest in Peterborough United’s recent history.

The Posh have had a torrid season so far, occupying the last spot in the Championship relegation zone after winning just five of their 29 league games so far this season. Their next game sees them host Reading, a side sat just one place and two points above them in the table. A win for Darren Ferguson’s men would see them leapfrog the Royals while still having a game in hand.

This would put them amongst the favourites to remain in the division, and would undoubtedly provide a major confidence boost ahead of their trip to a Derby County side who are sat just two points behind them, despite being handed a colossal 21-point deduction at the start of the season. Six points from their next two games could transfer Peterborough from a side staring relegation in the face to a side with their fate in their own hands.

Of course, that is far easier said than done.

Ferguson’s men have failed to win a single league game since beating Millwall at the Weston Homes Stadium on 11th December, losing six of their last seven games. Their one draw came away at Birmingham City, where the Posh were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising to victory with five minutes to go before late goals from Gary Gardner and Scott Hogan levelled the scores.

The sole cause for optimism comes from the club’s FA Cup run. Peterborough beat Bristol Rovers and Queens Park Rangers to reach the fifth round of the competition for the first time since 1985/86, with the reward for their progression coming in the form of a home tie against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

This has done little to lift the mood, however. Ferguson has come under increasing pressure from supporters, with many imploring chairman Darragh MacAnthony to remove him as manager. The Scotsman has reiterated his intentions to remain at the club, while co-owner Jason Neale indicated that he won’t be sacked regardless of which division the Posh find themselves in next season.

Nobody is sacking DF. He will be here next season regardless of the outcome of this season. Let’s not forget we were promoted 9 months ago.

Let’s stay positive. 3 points on Wednesday and we are out of the relegation zone.

— Jason Neale (@JasonDavidNeale) February 13, 2022

The atmosphere at Reading is similarly toxic, if not even worse. The Royals have been dropped into a fierce relegation battle following their six point deduction for “breach of profit and sustainability regulations”. That hasn’t made manager Veljko Paunović immune from criticism, with fans and pundits alike stunned that the club have opted to keep him on.

Conversely, Reading’s squad is much better than that of the Posh. The Royals have kept a number of key players from previous successful campaigns, including John Swift, a player who has been linked with a multitude of Premier League clubs in recent transfer windows. Lucas João has returned from injury after missing the first half of the campaign through injury, while the club have added Tom Ince in January to boost their attacking threat.

But their form is, in fact, even worse than that of their relegation rivals. Paunović’s men haven’t won a Championship game since 27th November and currently find themselves on a seven-match losing run. Their two draws have come against fellow strugglers Derby County and Hull City, but the Royals have also suffered a humiliating 7-0 home defeat at the hands of Fulham and a shock elimination from the FA Cup by National League North side Kidderminster Harriers.

With their dire financial situation, relegation could prove to be fatal for Reading. Maintaining their cushion on the bottom three is crucial, but defeat at the Weston Homes Stadium could see Peterborough move four points clear of the Royals if they win their game in hand. Given the Berkshire side’s losing run, it would be tough to see them recovering from that sort of position.

But once again, the Posh’s season is being described with hypotheticals. The reality is that their fixture list is incredibly congested due to Covid-related postponements and progression in the FA Cup. Ferguson will have to prepare his side to play twice a week until the international break at the end of March, with tough trips to promotion-chasers Fulham and Bournemouth on the horizon.

Asking either Peterborough or Reading to put together a run of results to lift them away from danger could prove to be too much to ask, but both sides will have the chance to cement their place in the Championship over the coming weeks. Whether or not they manage to accomplish that remains to be seen.

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