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Sammie Szmodics may have grabbed the headlines in Peterborough United’s 2-0 win over Crewe Alexandra, but it was Clarke-Harris’ performance that showcased just how vital he is to Posh’s promotion ambitions this season.
Since resigning for the club he played for as a youngster, Clarke-Harris has had some big boots to fill. Not only has he had to contend with last season’s League One top goal scorer Ivan Toney – who left for a record-breaking fee to Brentford in the summer- but with the long list of great strikers that have donned the Peterborough shirt.
The likes of Aaron McClean, Craig Mackail-Smith, Dwight Gayle and Britt Assombalonga have all come, scored and gone (and in some cases, come back again) in recent seasons, totalling a combined 193 goals for the Posh in both the Championship and League One.
However, in a season like no other and on a pitch that resembles a freshly ploughed field, the 26-year-old is arguably more important to the Cambridgeshire club this term than any of his predecessors in previous years, and Saturday’s 2-0 win over a spirited Crewe side proved just that.
Despite Szmodics scoring the first and assisting Clarke-Harris to tap home his 14th goal of the season, it was in fact the centre-forward’s presence that was far more indispensable.
Displaying his immense strength for the entire 90 minutes, the Posh’s number nine dropped deep, won the most number of duels (12) and linked play with his fellow forwards Szmodics and Siriki Dembele superbly, all whilst he providing an option for cutbacks or loose balls himself.
Credit: Peterborough United
For all its faults, the abysmal condition of the pitch played to Clarke-Harris’ strengths as one of the most powerful players in the division and has only made it tougher for opponents to scavenge points against a team with the best home record in League One (9W, 2D, 1L).
The cliche ‘good touch for a big man’ also rang true when he issued some excellent through balls and lay-offs for advancing full-backs Dan Butler and Joe Ward – the former who nearly set him up for the opener in the 19th minute with a fantastic looping cross.
Following his goal on the half-hour mark, the former Bristol Rovers man was an outlet throughout the second period and should have had an assist of his own when he played a defence-splitting pass towards Mo Eisa to set him in on-goal, but the substitute was unable to beat the onrushing Dave Richards.
Credit: Peterborough United
In spite of the victory, the nature of the performance only underpinned the fact that if Clarke-Harris were o get injured or become unavailable for selection – matters that have become more likely in a non-stop campaign being played during a global pandemic – a completely different style of play would have to be deployed.
The alterations would have to suit the skills and strengths of Ricky-Jade Jones, the 18-year-old academy graduate, or club-record signing Mo Eisa, who is yet to score this season and is severely lacking confidence, which could completely derail Peterborough’s promotion hopes.
This proposition has only sparked more questions as to why Fergurson did not bring in one or two new faces in the January transfer window with such a shallow squad.
Calls from fans for more players to start carrying more responsibility is expected, especially if poor performances on the road continue.
The team that pitches up at the Weston Homes Stadium is usually fearless and full of offensive imagination, but when away from home often appears scared and slow.
Yet if they are to win at home to rivals Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening, it could kickstart the sort of unbeaten run that took the Posh to the summit of League One back in early November.
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