PRE MATCH | Robinson expecting tough test from 'forward-thinking' Peterborough United


George Jones reports

Karl Robinson says that he expects Peterborough United to provide his side with a very difficult test at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.

The Posh will arrive in SE7 in sixth position in the League One table and the Addicks boss believes that Grant McCann’s counter-attacking team have the ability to cause problems to anyone in the division.

“They are going well,” he said. “I know most of their players very well and I think Grant McCann has done an unbelievable job there.

“He’s gone in there, settled the ship down and has really taken them forward. They are young, exciting, forward-thinking and are fantastic on the break. They’re almost set up for that; they try and get you onto them and, when you think you are comfortable in possession, they’ll hit you and you’ll find it hard to cope with their speed.

“We’ve looked at a few of their games and we think we have one or two elements where we know how strong they really are and we have to make sure that we negate our way around that.

“Obviously, we are at The Valley so we should be taking the game to them and, in some ways, that may be what they want. When you look at the players they have, they are very strong on the break – as I mentioned – and I think they have got one of the best young players in the country in Lopes. He’s an exceptional talent and I’m sure they’ll have a few bids for him in January.”

The Addicks will be without Jason Pearce for Saturday’s game, and for the next few months, and Robinson provided an update on the health of his squad.

“It’s a big disappointment to lose Jason, especially with the timespan of how long we’ll lose him four.

“Lee Novak is having a scan on his knee today [Thursday], Chris Solly is still in recovery mode and Ricky Holmes has had a slight setback.

“They are four of our better players but it is what it is and we will get on with our jobs. It gave us a chance to integrate a few of the youngers players on Tuesday; ok, we lost the game but we were the better team.

“If we can keep being the better team, keep being on the front foot then we’ll win more games than we lose.”

He added: “It’s a difficult one for Jason, me and the fans that support him every week.

“On the other and, we’ll have Freddie back – he was out running yesterday. Crofty will be back, Josh will be back and hopefully now he’s fully rested. Declan Rudd could be back, so there are one or to bits of positive news in there.”



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