Ex Portsmouth trio Dan Butler, Nathan Thompson and Ben Thompson are all expected to depart Peterborough United following the news of Darren Ferguson staying on as Posh manager, according to comments on the Hard Truth Podcast.
This news comes about after Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony openly commented on Posh’s transfer policy for next campaign, asserting that the club will be prioritising young and hungry talent to make up the numbers.
Therefore, the likes of Dan Butler – who is nearing 29 years of age – might well be off in favour of hungrier personnel in the building down in Cambridgeshire.
Likewise, former Pompey faces such as Nathan Thompson and Ben Thompson could also be out of the door – the Posh chairman insistent on an under 25 policy when it comes to summer transfer buys.
With comments suggesting a reset are in order, it could make for an intriguing summer at Posh.
It’s no surprise too to see that a complete overhaul was preferred, Peterborough United ultimately ending their season in humiliating fashion at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday in the playoffs.
Going into the away leg at Hillsborough four goals to the good, the superior lead was surrendered as wave after wave of Sheffield Wednesday attacks proved too much for Darren Ferguson’s men.
Going through on penalties after winning the second leg 5-1, Darren Moore’s Owls had pulled off the unthinkable.
Now, with this news of a reshape filtering through, many experienced heads at Peterborough United might well have played their final ever game for the club in that horror show.
How Have These Players Performed at Posh?
Both Dan Butler and Nathan Thompson have been at Peterborough United for a number of seasons now, with both players amassing 100 plus appearances for the Posh.
Butler joined Posh under the third full reign of Darren Ferguson, Fergie signing again on the dotted line at London Road today means he’s now been here four times during his managerial career. The ex Newport man had been steadily phased out of the side, a recent injury seeing the wing-back on the sidelines for some time. Now, he looks to be heading for the exit door when the retained list is announced.
Likewise, another steady defender that will be exiting is Nathan Thompson. An arguable fan favourite at London Road, he played a key role when Posh were promoted from League One automatically during the 2019-20 season alongside Butler. However, with limited appearances under his belt this campaign, he looks like he could be off.
Lastly, Ben Thompson makes up the final player of the ex Pompey trio. The 27-year-old joined Posh with grand expectations, the central midfielder boasting Championship experience with Millwall – making over 100 appearances for the Lions, a big chunk of those coming when Millwall were in the second tier. It just hasn’t worked out for the midfielder when relocating to Cambridgeshire, reduced to substitute cameos more times than not.
Ferguson Staying On
It’s no real surprise to anyone that Darren Ferguson has signed a new deal to stay at Posh, the Scotsman has become synonymous with the club at this point in time.
This fourth overall spell in the Posh dug-out could well be his trickiest arguably, with more departures expected concerning Ronnie Edwards and Jack Taylor with Championship clubs circling for their star assets.
Putting faith in the youth at the club is a bold move from Fergie and co, the proof of whether this daring strategy will actually work will arrive next campaign when matches begin once again.
For the time being, Darren Ferguson’s future is one certainty at Peterborough United – staying on for another three years.
What Has Been Said?
Speaking on his Hard Truth Podcast in the last episode, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony opened up about the transfer policy going into next season – a transfer policy that will more than likely see Butler and the two Thompsons depart Posh.
He said: “I had a three-hour conversation with the manager on Monday and those talks are ongoing. They were constructive talks. I told him my ideas and he told me his ideas, but nothing is set in stone and I can’t say one way or the other what will happen.
The Posh chairman further revealed that nobody above the age of 25 will be joining Posh this summer, a radical recruitment policy proposed.
He said: “We don’t often keep players for more than two seasons. Hopefully they’ve won something in that time before moving on. But we need a reset now. We will be signing players in the summer, they just won’t be over 25!”
Writer’s View
After the sore nature of Posh crashing out of the League One playoffs in the semi-final stages, Darragh MacAnthony clearly feels that the time is up for that group of players to succeed again.
Therefore, opting for a younger and fresher group could well work in exorcising those demons. Under Darren Ferguson, there’s no doubting that Posh can challenge for promotion back up to the Championship.
However, patience might well be need to practiced if the group at Posh next season consists of younger, more raw talent.
