Unacceptable performance. I agree with BBTC that we made a major error in playing a 4-4-2. We were far too open when Peterborough counter attacked and this left the back four, and in particular Edwards, horribly exposed, in the second half in particular. I disagree with BBTC that the defence did ok; the back four were abysmal in the second half and Edwards was torn to shreds at times. For Assombolanga's second and third goals instead of showing the striker down the line, he allowed him inside onto his stronger foot to belt a shot into the bottom corner. It was completely naive to expect a 19 year old whose only experience has come at League Two level, to cope with Peterborough's strikers without the protection of an extra man in midfield; Edwards deserved better assistance from his manager. Wallace did well in the first half, but even at this stage of the game when we lost the ball on halfway Peterborough's talented and mobile midfield / attack were able to run straight at our back four.
The game had started fairly promisingly and for forty minutes I though we matched them for possession, if not quality in the final third. We pressed high up the pitch and looked solid and disciplined. That said, the defending for the first goal was poor, a breakaway down Edward's side with Assombalonga afforded acres of space. Had we avoided the second goal (conceded from a corner) and gone in at 1-0 at half time, we probably would have avoided a rout. As it was, we looked completely dishevelled from the first minute of the second half, and the team as a whole showed a complete lack of professionalism with a limp, gutless, disorganised second half display, albeit against vastly superior opponents.
With Taylor back in the side next week, we just have to hope today was a one off, against quality opposition, and we can get results in the vital league games coming up in the next few weeks.