Next up in Preston North End’s looking at series is Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United.
In their first season back in League One having been relegated the previous campaign, Peterborough’s return to the third tier was a mixed bag - having achieved a Play-Off spot, the Posh were beaten in the semi-finals against Leyton Orient.
Last year, after a fruitful start, losing just once in the opening 13 games, Posh went on a baron run of six defeats in a row to dent their hopes of automatic promotion.
Peterborough’s promising beginning to the 2013/14 campaign was dampened by an inconsistent second half of the season, which saw them limp over the Play-Off line after looking certain at one stage of at least a top six finish.
There wasn’t much to split the Lilywhites and the Posh last year with Peterborough being the first team to beat North End last season 2-0 at London Road in October, whilst Preston ensured Darren Ferguson’s return to Preston was an unhappy one with PNE gaining the upper hand, 3-1.
Former North End manager Ferguson will partake in his fourth full season in the Posh hot seat since his return to the club in 2011, and will be joined with the return of solid centre back Gabriel Zakuani.
‘Zak’ spent six months away from London Road joining Greek side Kalloni, but joined the club this season claiming he had unfinished business with the southern side.
Joining Zakuani is Erhun Oztumer from non-league Dulwich Hamlet, who put pen to paper on a two year deal last month.
In other goings on over the summer, the Posh boss has made midfielder Jack Payne club captain for the 2014/15 season – the 22 year old put in a number of commanding performances last year, so it’s no surprise that Ferguson has elected the former Gillingham man as skipper.
PNE travel to London Road in their last match before Christmas day, with Darren Ferguson returning to Deepdale on the 17th March.
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A map of the route from Preston to Peterborough.