The Ten Game Report.

Every football fan has heard the saying that the table means nothing until ten games have been played. We have now played those ten games and currently ‘The Posh’ sit second in the table, two points off early leaders Brighton. It has been an encouraging start to the season and has confirmed that this squad are promotion contenders.

So after ten games what have we learnt? How have we performed? This article looks at how well each individual has performed so far.

Joe Lewis – We haven’t learnt too much that we didn’t already know about Joe. A very good goal-keeper for this level he has made some superb stops but has, at times, shown his error-prone side as well. 6/10

Mark Little – Has been injured for a sizable amount of time. You can still see he is a valuable member of the first team squad and the best full-back at the club. Very quick going forward, he likes to attack but he is also fairly astute defensively. Personally, I think he could make the step up to the Championship with ease. 7/10

Chris Whelpdale – Admittedly he has been played out of position due to Little’s injury but he has been poor so far. He is defensively very suspect and often struggles to last 90 minutes. 3/10

Whelpdale hasn’t had the best of starts this campaign.

Kelvin Langmead – Has settled well at Posh and looks to be a good signing. It’s rare to say that he has had a bad performance as he is very solid. At times lacks pace but is very good in the air. He also has a very good touch for a centre back. 7/10

Gabriel Zakuani – It’s brilliant to see him back in a Posh shirt after injury. Since he has returned he has been a rock and nothing has got past him. He isn’t the most naturally gifted footballer but there is no-one more trustworthy than him when defending. 8/10

Ryan Bennett – He was rumoured with a move to London giants Tottenham and Arsenal in the summer and certainly does have a lot of potential. Injured of late but did a good job when he was in the team. Still inexperienced though and sometimes makes errors. 6/10

Tommy Rowe – Is now the first choice left-back and seems to improve weekly. He is very competent in possession and likes to get forward. There are still times when he looks suspect defensively but it’s clear to see he’s improving in a position that he hasn’t played in particularly often. 7/10

Seth Nana – Perhaps everyone expected too much from a player that had came through the Chelsea academy and had interest from FC Twente before joining Peterborough but it’s hard to see why a club in the Champions League would be interested. Defensively he is very poor at the minute and has a lot to learn. He has shown glimpses of quality though. 4/10

Seth Nana’s performances have underwhelmed.

Charlie Lee – It’s hard to know exactly what to say about Charlie. You can never question his commitment but technically he hasn’t cut it this season. He has also been at fault for a number of goals Posh have conceded so far and still no-one seems to know what his best position is. 3/10

Lee Tomlin – I’m so surprised by how easy he has found the step up. He has looked comfortable with League One football and has the ability to play at a higher level. I believe he will become the most important player in the current squad due to his excellent dribbling, passing and shooting. Still needs to work defensively and become fitter but he’s going to be a superb player for this club. 9/10

Arron Davies – Forced his way into the starting line-up and then picked up an injury. He lacks lightening pace but he is an intelligent player. His versatility is also a major advantage. 7/10

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – He has shown glimpses of quality and has a bright future in the game but is quiet for large periods of matches. When he turns up, like against Exeter, he is a threat but he can also be a liability, like against Bournemouth. 5/10

James Wesolowski – This boy has quality there is no doubt about it. We look a lot stronger when he is in the midfield positions due his excellent tackling ability. Injured currently but I’m sure he will go straight back into the starting line-up when he is fit again. 7/10

James Wesolowski has started his Posh career well.

Grant McCann – One of the best technical footballers at this level. His set-pieces are also a breath of fresh air and having someone so good from dead-balls is something we haven’t had for a long time. Yet, there still seems to be few question marks over our captain’s temperament. The Northern Irish international is a key member of the first team and, when on song, is influential. 8/10

Matthew Gill – He’s not been here for too long but seems to be a consistent rather than spectacular player. He will be okay as cover for Wesolowski and McCann until they return but I don’t think the loan will be extended any further than the month he was originally at London Road for. 4/10

George Boyd – He started the season in fine form but hasn’t been brilliant more recently. He has the potential to be match-winner and I think everyone is delighted to have Boyd at the club still after it looked certain he would leave. 5/10

Aaron McLean – He’s deadly at this level and is probably the most competent striker, in terms of technical ability, at the club. Still never ceases to amaze at the amount of headers he wins despite his size. It would be great if he would commit his future to Peterborough United although it seems unlikely. 8/10

Craig Mackail-Smith – Is there anyone who works harder than him? He terrifies every defence at this level and is looking a little more clinical in-front of goal. As with McLean he is too good for this level. 9/10

Craig Mackail-Smith has been brilliant so far.

Dave Hibbert – He is just unfortunate to be in a side with so many attacking options. He is certainly a different type of striker to the ‘Mac-Attack’ and is a threat in the air. 6/10

Gary Johnson – Johnson has really endeared himself to the fans so far. I don’t think, as a club, we have ever had a more attacking mentality but we still look a little suspect defensively and this will need to be addressed. There can’t be too many complaints though and I think every Posh fan is hoping that Johnson will continue to be the manager at Peterborough United for a long time. 8/10

There won’t be a Huddersfield match report on the blog as niether George nor I want to spend our money on watching what will be a glorified friendly. Still, i’ll start to be interested if we get to the final!