Steve Evans takes some of the blame after dismal Posh defeat

Peterborough manager Steve Evans was happy to shoulder some of the blame for his side’s woeful 4-0 defeat against Barnsley on Saturday.

Peterborough started the day five points clear of Daniel Stendel’s side, but a comprehensive defeat proved to narrow the gap to just two points.

Evans admitted his tactics didn’t work, but that his players also wanted to take some of the blame.

“It didn’t work, but it didn’t help that the players also performed way below their normal levels. We had an excellent team meeting yesterday and to be fair to the players they tried to take the blame. They admitted they were way off the pace, but managers are there to be shot at when things go wrong.”

Evans couldn’t watch the game back on Saturday night, no doubt preferring Strictly or a film with Mrs Evans, but he’s since seen it and admits it could have passed for an 18-rated horror.

“I normally watch the game back on a Saturday night, but I couldn’t face it. I watched it back yesterday instead and it wasn’t pretty against a very good Barnsley side.”

The defeat means MK Dons will suffer a backlash, they’re up next for Posh before a League One clash with Scunthorpe United.

“I will now be fielding a stronger side tomorrow than I did in the last Checkatrade game at MK Dons. Places are up for grabs for the League game at Scunthorpe on Saturday. We let the fans down on Saturday, but I’m confident of getting a big response at Scunthorpe.”

Our View

It is one result and nobody is going to be judging Evans on that. Yet.

It is worrying how easily they were carved open by the visitors and Evans will want a big result against Scunthorpe next week, before Accrington and Fleetwood visit London Road.

They’ve only won two of six at home and need to make it a fortress if they’re going to sustain a promotion push.