Robbie Savage has told his Peterborough United players they have nothing to fear ahead of Saturday's League One trip to his former club Leicester City. The Posh boss, whose side sit 23rd in the standings with just five points from eight games, is demanding his team impose their high-energy style at the King Power Stadium. He believes his squad, is underachieving and that unlocking their best form is the key to climbing away from danger.
Savage expects a hostile reception from Foxes fans due to his controversial 2002 departure for Birmingham City following Leicester's relegation. He made 172 Premier League appearances for the club and was their player of the year. "I was player of the year there, I loved it there," Savage said. "I don’t think I will get the greatest of receptions there, but I don’t really care. My focus is on Peterborough United."
His immediate focus is banishing any inferiority complex, pointing to Tuesday's 4-1 EFL Trophy win over Ipswich Town U21s as proof of their potential. Peterborough scored four times in a blistering nine-minute first-half spell in that match, with striker Harry Leonard netting twice. "It’s not David vs Goliath, they were a Premier League side not so long ago, but they’re not now," Savage stated. "If we can perform like we did in the first half on Tuesday, we can beat anybody."
He acknowledged Leicester's considerable threat, noting the Foxes have registered a league-high 135 shots in just five games according to the latest stats, but stressed the need for Peterborough to be proactive. "We have got to get rid of this mentality though of let’s try and stop the opposition," he explained. "It’s about us, let’s be us, go and play, have a go, entertain and make them think about us."
Savage wants the travelling support, expected to exceed 3,200 fans, to witness an attacking performance that reflects the team's capabilities. He emphasised that the challenge is to replicate their explosive goal-scoring form from midweek, where they netted four times in nine minutes, against league opposition. The manager's message is clear: belief and a focus on their own strengths are most important for a side that has won two, drawn one, and lost two of its last five outings. With this key fixtures list entry next, Savage's men face 14th-placed Leicester this Saturday aiming to use a positive result as a springboard to climb from the bottom three.
This story first appeared at peterboroughtoday.co.uk
