Meet the opposition | Peterborough United
As Swansea City prepare to face at Peterborough United at London Road on Wednesday evening, we take a look at their history, form and key figures.
What’s their story?
Peterborough United were formed in 1934. After winning the Midlands League for five consecutive seasons, they were elected to the Football League ahead of the 1960-61 season.
Throughout the rest of the century they had various promotions and relegations between tiers three and four but, after the turn of the millennium, they reached the second tier for the first time under then-manager Barry Fry.
In the 2000s they’ve spent a fairly even amount of time between League One and the Championship. Their best FA Cup run took them to the quarter finals in the 1964-65 season, while they reached the semi-finals of the League Cup the following campaign.
In 2014, they won the EFL Trophy by beating Chesterfield 3-1 at Wembley.
How's their form?
Not great. It’s been a challenging season so far for last season’s League One runners-up, amassing just 23 points. The Posh have picked up just three points in their past 10 games – four fewer than anyone else in the league - however, there have been signs of an upturn under new manager Grant McCann.
They are undefeated in two with back-to-back draws against AFC Bournemouth and Stoke City. They also put up an excellent fight against Premier League leaders Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup earlier this month.
Who’s the boss?
Grant McCann. The 41-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year deal last month to begin his second permanent spell in charge at the club; having also served as manager between 2016 and 2018.
The former Northern Ireland international also made more than 150 appearances for Posh as a player.
Prior to taking the reins at the Weston Homes Stadium, he spent two-and-half-years at Hull City suffering relegation from the Championship in his first year, but leading them to an immediate return in his second.
Before joining the Tigers, he spent a season at fellow Yorkshire club Doncaster taking Rovers, who had been favourites for relegation, to an unexpected play-off semi-final.
Who’s the captain?
Oliver Norburn. The 29-year-old made the move to the Weston Homes Stadium in the summer of 2021 after three years at Shrewsbury Town. He was named captain in December of that year.
He previously played for Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle in the EFL and for Guiseley, Macclesfield Town, and Tranmere Rovers in the National League.
Norburn's impressive form in the Championship is summed up by the numerous links with other clubs during the January transfer window.
Who are the key men?
Jonson Clarke-Harris. After a sensational League One campaign last season (31 goals in 45 games), the striker has struggled to recreate that kind of form in the second tier.
Despite that, he is still the club’s top scorer with seven and has chipped in with two assists. The best goals-per-game ratio belongs to forward Jack Marriott, who has scored four times in 20 games, including a goal in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
Ricky-Jade Jones’ pace – often off the bench – can be dangerous, while Josh Knight and Ronnie Edwards anchor the defence.