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Page last updated at 14:14 GMT, Monday, 4 August 2008 15:14 UK

Edwin Overland's season preview

Edwin Overland
By Edwin Overland
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson begins only his second full season as Posh boss

Posh manager Darren Ferguson will be wary of the 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' syndrome this season.

In his first full term in management the former Wrexham playmaker deservedly took the plaudits as he steered the London Road club to promotion.

But Fergie Jnr knows that further glory this time round could be more difficult to achieve.

Will the step-up to League One prove to be too big a jump for the current squad of players?

The bookies don't think so as they once again list Posh amongst their promotion favourites.

Obviously the first few matches will provide some vital clues.

Ferguson clearly feels a certain amount of loyalty towards the players who achieved the club's main aim last season. Almost all of them have the opportunity to show that they can cut the mustard at a higher level.

The most notable absentee is Adam Newton, who has moved on to Brentford, whilst the four new additions are Russell Martin and Sergio Torres from Wycombe together with Paul Coutts from Cove Rangers in Scotland and Shaun Batt from Fisher Athletic.

606: DEBATE
Martin is a full-back, a natural replacement for Newton (and Claude Gnapka), whilst the other three operate in midfield.

The main story during the summer was the Aaron McLean saga.

Last year's top scorer was initially linked with a move to Wolverhampton, but when the money offered was considered too low McLean slapped in a transfer request just ahead of the club's pre-season trip to Marbella.

Fortunately the issue was settled amicably with McLean signing a new 4-year deal together with star midfielder Charlie Lee.

This next season will see Posh visit some new venues of course - Leicester and Colchester have new stadiums whilst for me Yeovil will be a 'first' and I have not been to Elland Road since the 60's.

Peterborough United's transfers
Ins:
Russell Martin (Wycombe, tribunal)
Sergio Torres (Wycombe, undisclosed)
Paul Coutts (free)
Shaun Batt (free)
Outs:
Adam Newton (Brentford, free)
Rene Howe (Morecambe, loan)
Shwan Jalal (Bournemouth, loan)
Alfie Potter (Kettering, loan)

All Posh supporters will no doubt be relishing the local derbies with Northampton and MK Dons whilst the long-distance trips will be to Hartlepool and Carlisle in the north and Yeovil and Brighton in the south.

The festive period looks particularly appetising with a home fixture on Boxing Day against Millwall followed by a trip to Cheltenham on December 28th.

MK Dons are the visitors to London Road for the first match of the New Year on 3rd January.

For the players who made the transition from non-league to League Two last season this year's step up will provide a further challenge.

But you can bet your last holiday Euro that the likes of Aaron McLean, Craig Mackail-Smith, Chris Whelpdale, Shane Blackett, George Boyd, Kieren Charnock and company will be up for the challenge.

Edwin Overland commentates on Peterborough United throughout the season on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

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see also
Mclean and Lee pen new Posh deals
28 Jul 08 |  Peterborough
Posh boss targets Coutts signing
23 Jul 08 |  Peterborough
Torres completes switch to Posh
14 Jul 08 |  Peterborough
Posh snap up Wycombe right-back
29 May 08 |  Peterborough


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