Gannon has 18 games to help Posh escape from relegation

Ahead of Saturday's match with QPR, new Peterborough United boss Jim Gannon has offered support to the club's more unsettled players.

Former boss Mark Cooper's final days as manager were dogged by speculation of player unrest.

Gannon told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "What's important is that I sit down with the main people with perhaps the biggest problems.

"I need to listen to them and try and understand their situation."

The players need to know that this is a turning point, not perhaps in terms of what we will achieve, but in putting things behind us and working for a better future. Peterborough United boss Jim Gannon

Striker Aaron Mclean has been on the transfer list since mid-December, while Izale Mcleod was dropped from the squad for their clash with Crystal Palace last weekend for 'disciplinary reasons'.

However Gannon says every player will be offered a fresh start and given the chance to impress.

"The players need to know that this is a turning point, not perhaps in terms of what we will achieve, but in putting things behind us and working for a better future," he said.

The former Stockport and Motherwell manager has signed a contract until the end of the season.

He says his first priority is to change the way time is spent on the training pitch.

"There's a lot of stuff that needs to be tidied up and we need to go out with a focus and know what we want to achieve from training," he said.

"I've been giving the players a bit of prep before training and that should help them get the concentration and application right."

Gannon believes addressing the club's defensive problems will be the key to picking up results.

"We've got fantastic attacking talent and scoring goals shouldn't be a problem, but at the other end we need to ensure we're in games long enough to make that tell," he said.

"Maybe if we haven't got the quality of individuals in defence we need to try and find a structure that will allow for collective strength."

Gannon has a virtually fit squad for the visit of QPR on Saturday, but Gabby Zakuani remains on the sidelines with a groin strain.

Exodus Geohaghon and Izale Mcleod have both picked up knocks and are doubts.

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