FA Cup - Posh v Tranmere Preview!

Saturday will see Posh embark on a journey that could see them make the third round of the FA Cup and the chance to, potentially, draw out one of the big boys that enter the competition in that round.

We go into the tie in remarkably good form with a neat little unbeaten run of fourteen games behind us, a run that has prompted Darren Ferguson to remark,

"It`s been a phenomenal run and obviously we want it to carry on for a bit longer yet. Our form throughout the whole year has been incredible."

"We had a long unbeaten run in the second half of last season and we`re doing the same now. There`s no doubt in my mind that winning becomes a habit."

"The club has a winning mentality now and that gives us a lot of confidence going into matches. The secret now is not to think the job is done because it`s far from the case."

However, the crux of the matter is whether we can keep the run going in the FA Cup. In the previous round we overcame the plucky challenge of AFC Hornchurch and, in all honesty, since then we`ve been scrapping out results.

The last time we played Tranmere Rovers at London Road was back in September. Ronnie Moore`s side gave us a real a scare as they went into a two goal lead before we clawed it back to 2-2 to take a share of the spoils.

Looking at the early team news, Gabriel Zakuani, who has never been on the losing side for Posh, is rated as 50-50 after colliding with the gravel track and the concrete wall at Swindon on Tuesday night. Our new signing Andrew Crofts is cup tied so it looks as if Charlie Lee will earn a recall after Crofts started in midweek.

However, our visitors are also having team selection problems despite a decent two win over promotion candidates Scunthorpe on Tuesday night. Our visitors will be unable to play loan signings Mark Wilson and John Johnson although Stoke City have given permission for Ryan Shotton to play.

Ronnie Moore, as the tie approaches, has offered glowing praise but also a warning to Darren Ferguson remarking,

'He [Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson] was a winner when he played and as a manager he's had a tremendous start to his career. "

'I get on well with him, we wish him all the best but 'sorry Darren we want to be the team that gets into that third round'.

All in all it promises to be an intriguing tie and with reduced ticket prices there should be a healthy crowd inside London Road for this one. Let`s hope, come Saturday evening, we`re looking forward to a third round draw that contains all the big boys!

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