Peterborough United has said that the late goal from Cameron Brannagan in their 1-0 defeat to Oxford United typified their 2019/20 season to date, as they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup, suffering a third defeat in as many games.
Peterborough United’s start to the season has been far from what was expected from the Posh. After a summer of impressive business and reborn enthusiasm around the club, they have lost three games out of three.
Their latest loss has seen them knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the first round, losing 1-0 to Oxford United – who also beat them 1-0 on Saturday afternoon in League One – thanks to a late strike from Cameron Brannagan, who also scored the only goal of the game on Saturday.
Posh had used all three of their subs and after a late injury to summer signing Serhat Tasdemir – who impressed on his full debut for the club – they were down the 10 men. With 88 minutes on the clock, Cameron Brannagan struck in a late free-kick to set Oxford up with a second-round clash with Championship side Millwall.
Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph after the game, Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson praised his side for the effort they put in during the Tuesday night clash, saying that his side did not deserve to lose the game.
“Things aren’t going for us right now. We were well on top when Serhat got injured and that gave them a lift. We still created chances with 10 men so it was a cruel result.
“I felt for the lads as they had put a lot into the game. They certainly didn’t deserve to lose.
“I felt the change to a diamond would give us better balance and so it proved. It caused them problems. It meant we could keep two strikers in the side and they were able to play much closer together.
“We started the game well but then stopped moving the ball quickly in the last part of the first half. After the break, we played the ball forward more quickly and we caused them problems.”
Ferguson went on to reflect on the Posh’s start to the season, with three defeats in as many matches leaving them on zero points in the League and out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle.
“But the bottom line is we have lost the first three games of the season which is very disappointing. We can’t have started any worse than losing the first two league games and the first cup match.
“We are not scoring goals and we are not keeping clean sheets. We are not creating enough clearcut scoring chances which is a surprise with the players I have in the squad.
“The goal typified our season so far. It was a mistake by us to give them the free-kick and then someone turned their back on the shot and the ball went under his foot. But we have to keep the faith. There were some good performances out there tonight. Serhat was good and Josh Knight gave us good legs in midfield.
“This start is testing us, but I’m sure one win will get us up and running.”
