Meet the opposition | Peterborough United
As Swansea City get set to host Peterborough United at the Swansea.com Stadium, we take a closer look at Posh.
What's their story?
Formed in 1934, Peterborough United have spent their entire history in the lower levels of English football. They are back in the second tier for the first time since 2013, having finished second in League One last term.
EFL Trophy winners in 2014, Peterborough have a long history of nurturing players and attracting big transfer fees.
Most notably, Wales international Simon Davies began his career there, while Aaron Mclean, Craig Mackail-Smith, George Boyd, Dwight Gayle and Ivan Toney have all starred for them before moving on.
Current Swans head coach Russell Martin also spent time at the club, becoming their youngest ever captain and leading them to promotion from League One in 2009.
Their Posh nickname was born in 1921 when manager Pat Tirrell was reported as saying he was " looking for posh players for a posh new team.”
How's their form?
Good. They have won their last two league games, having only won two prior to that.
Victory at Hull was followed by another at home against QPR, so they have momentum.
In fact, they are looking to equal a club record of winning three consecutive Championship games for only the third time – having done so in 1992-93 and 2012-13. Prior to their recent run, Posh had lost seven of their last nine league games.
Who's the boss?
Darren Ferguson. The Scot Is taking charge of his 500th game in charge of Posh, having already broken Barry Fry’s previous record of 491 competitive games as manager.
Ferguson is the only Posh manager to have won four promotions with the club, three of them into the Championship.
He has also managed Doncaster Rovers and Preston, while his playing career started under his father Sir Alex at Manchester United, before representing Wolves, Sparta Rotterdam and Wrexham before taking up a player-manager role with the Posh.
Who's the captain?
Mark Beevers. The hugely experienced centre-back joined Posh last season, making 32 appearances as they won promotion from League One.
He started his career with Sheffield Wednesday, for whom he experienced League One promotion, and made over 160 appearances before a loan spell at MK Dons was made permanent.
Three years in London was followed by a move back up north to Bolton in 2016, where he won another promotion from League One and ended his spell there in 2019 as he joined Posh.
Who are the key players?
Striker Jonson Clarke-Harris struck 33 goals in 49 appearances last season in his first season back at London Road as he won the League One golden boot. Has scored twice in 10 appearances this term.
Winger Siriki Dembele played a starring role last season as he chipped in with 13 goals in all competitions during the Posh’s promotion.
Born in the Ivory Coast, Dembele started his career at Dundee United and Ayr United before joining the Nike Football Academy in 2016. Joined Grimsby Town in 2017, and his impressive performances led to him joining Posh a year later. He is related to Toure brothers Yaya and Kolo.
Midfielder Oliver Norburn, who started his career with Leicester, has risen back through the ranks after dropping into non-league, and has made 13 appearances since joining Posh from Shrewsbury in the summer.
