Alex Ferguson is known to rest his senior players to give the talented Manchester United youngsters a shot at first team football. At the Toon, with a decimated squad, we have no choice but to rest the senior players and give our youngsters a chance. They got that chance tonight in a game against Peterboro.

However, they didn’t rise up to take the chance as was hoped. By all accounts, it appears that they were outplayed and outfought. Mike Ashley’s infamous quote of wanting to emulate Arsenal looks even more desperate now.

Craig Mackail-Smith and Tom Williams got the goals for Posh and not even a second-half triple substitution by Chris Hughton was enough to turn things around.

Let’s not kid ourselves, we’re focused on the league this season. A defeat against Peterboro gave everyone a stark reminder that there are many additions needed at Newcastle United before we can start to compete on all fronts.