Oppositions View - Peterborough United

How do you assess your sides recent form?

Peterborough have won eight games on the bounce but they have not been playing as well as this suggests. Darren Ferguson said he was disappointed with the performance a few nights ago and it just shows the high standards he has. Posh have been renowned for entertaining but since Christmas they

Westwood...Formidable partnership with Morgan

have tightened up to grind out results.

Posh have really picked up, what is the main transformation?

At the back really. A lot of work has been done and it is certainly paying off. With Westwood and Morgan at centre back Posh have not lost a game all season. Only once when they've played in the same team, with Westwood at right-back have they lost. It has been about 25 games so it seems to be working. Earlier in the season United were having to score three goals to win a game which was not a problem, but now one does the job a lot of the time.

What do you make of the title race?

I think it is a two horse race now. I do not think Darlington or Hereford are in the running any more. I would be very surprised to see Posh outside of the top two. The week after next United take on MK Dons so by then we could have a better idea of who will win the league.

What have you made of Ferguson's first full season in charge?

When he was appointed everyone spoke about him being the son of Sir Alex Ferguson but he has really built his own reputation. A lot of people thought it

McLean...Set to make history

was mistake to put him in charge as there were a number of other big names in the running. It was a real shock. But he has really proved himself. One of his best qualities is his ruthlessness. He dumped club legend goalkeeper Mark Tyler and brought in Joe Lewis for £400,000 so I think he has proved himself. He will admit he has been lucky with the money he has had at Posh but you cannot fault his results. He likes to encourage exciting football and he has done a grand job.

Who is your danger man?

Aaron McLean for his shear goal scoring exploits. One more goal and he will have 30 for the season. He will be the first person to do that since 1972 at London Road. He is the top man.

Who else should we look out for?

Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd. They have chipped in with goals and between the attacking trio they have 61 goals which is a better record than Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez at Manchester United. They were all plucked from non-league too.

What did you make of the sides last meeting?

Well a 1-0 win with Mackail-Smith on target was probably about deserved.

Mackail-Smith...Scored at Meadow Lane

We played you at the best time though if I remember. You had just lost to Havant and Walterlooville in the FA Cup and we had scored 12 goals in the last two games. Jason Lee had a great chance but he wasn't going to score with the season he has had. It was fairly comfortable.

What have you made of Notts' struggling season?

Everyone probably says this but I am surprised. Notts have been very poor. They are just not scoring the goals from what I know. Richard Butcher has been in great form though. I will be honest I did not think County would challange at the top but I certainly never saw them in a relegation scrap. I think they will stay up though. Notts should come above Macclesfield and I reckon Mansfield are doomed after getting rid of Billy Dearden.

Who do you see as Notts' danger man?

It has to be Richard Butcher. His goal record says that. He also has a point to prove against Ferguson who never fancied him. He is clearly a box-to-box player but his ability in passing was maybe not quite to the bosses liking. Gavin Strachan is out I know but I do not see him as a threat in the County

Butcher...Point to prove

camp. He keeps the ball well but I do not think he has ever achieved anything. Jason Lee will be booed but he was excellent in our 1999/00 promotion season. It is strange really.

What sort of encounter are you expecting?

I expect a tough game for Posh despite the form book. Posh are not winning in style at the moment and they are due some bad luck. Everything seems to be going their way and that is what happens when you are at the top. The longer the game goes on without a goal the more chance County will have.

Team news?

It will be an unchanged eleven.

Prediction?

Ferguson said in the press conference today that a team is going to get a good hiding soon but I do not think that is Notts. They will make it tough for Posh. The Magpies could be difficult to break down.

1-0 Posh.