Luke Williams, the manager of Peterborough United, expressed his disappointment after their match against Port Vale, describing it as one of the most unsatisfactory performances he has ever witnessed as a coach.
The team suffered a 3-1 defeat at home on Thursday and has now only secured two points from their last five matches, which has put them back in the relegation fight.
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Ethon Archer netted two goals from free-kicks for the visitors, with Williams attributing both goals to “needless fouls” committed by his players.
Currently, Peterborough sits in 16th place with four games remaining. They hold 51 points and have a game in hand over teams beneath them, but are just four points above the relegation zone.
“We had significant possession and reached their penalty area with ease, yet there was a complete lack of conviction. We had to depend on a set-piece for our goal; we can’t seem to score from open play,” Williams told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
“It may sound strange, but I really miss the team we had. What I’ve witnessed lately is not the team that fought fiercely and left everything on the pitch while securing victories.”
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“I long for that group. For various reasons, players are struggling to reach their peak performance, energy, and quality at the moment.”
“They were an outstanding team, and I hope to see them regain their form.”
Three of Peterborough’s remaining fixtures will take place at the Weston Homes Stadium, starting with a match against Burton Albion on Sunday.
“I’ve tried different approaches and reminded them of their previous strong performances… hoping to rekindle that energy,” said Williams.
He will evaluate striker Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who missed the game against Vale, ahead of Sunday’s match.
“It’s not an injury, but he was experiencing considerable discomfort and pain, which should resolve quickly,” Williams added.