Will Evans start Cooke again, this time in place of Dembele or should he go for George Cooper who has been largely overlooked so far this season? We’ve all seen the potential of Cooper but can he fit into the tactics of Evans as his best position is more of a number 10 rather than a winger that needs to get up and down the pitch while sharing the defensive duties when required.
While Cooke has featured as a substitute in both the League matches so far and a 45-minute appearance against QPR, Cooper, on the other hand, has only been on the pitch for 17 minutes in that Cup defeat on Tuesday!
Posh do have another winger, or rather two wingers, on their books but it is doubtful either will be brought into the starting line-up. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was signed from Manchester City but he lacks experience and it will be a big risk to start the 20-year-old. The other winger is, of course, Marcus Maddison!
Maddison was widely expected to be sold in the summer and although there were a number of clubs interested, with some triggering his release clause, no one matched the payment terms Posh are insisting on. He is still expected to leave on loan with a view to signing permanently in January with a Championship side but until this happens, or the loan window shuts, then Maddison won’t be seen in a Posh shirt.
If O’Hara fails to pass his fitness test, he will leave a big hole in the centre of midfield as not only does he bring a scoring prowess to the midfield, he also brings size and strength. While Cooke can play in central midfield, Louis Reed could be the man to take O’Hara’s place as he played regularly alongside Alex Woodyard in pre-season.
Posh did sign Adam King on loan from Swansea as another body for midfield but he suffered an injury in pre-season which eventually saw him return to his parent club. One other midfielder on the books is transfer listed Jermaine Anderson.
Anderson was the subject of a late transfer bid from neighbours Northampton Town but the player turned them down opting to stay at Posh, pick up a good wage and watch Posh from the sidelines each week! It will be a shock if Anderson is chosen by Evans to fill the boots of O’Hara.
While we expect Cooper and Reed to step up to the plate, the fans also need to do the same.
Luton are expecting to bring over 2,000 noisy fans with them as they occupy the Motorpoint Stand and part of the old North Stand. Posh fans will need to unite in the Weston Homes London Road terrace, the BGL South Family Stand, and the Main North Stand if we don’t want to be out-sung.
