Ferguson keen not to 'overcook' Cambridge derby

Darren Ferguson guided Peterborough to the EFL Trophy last season, the second time he has won the competition with the club

Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson says he has been keen not to "overcook" the significance of Saturday's local derby against Cambridge United to his players.

The two sides meet for the first time this season in League One at the Western Homes Stadium, with Posh having won their last three encounters.

The weekend's corresponding fixture almost a year ago saw Posh trounce Cambridge 5-0 in their biggest ever victory.

"We were outstanding," Ferguson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"It was a convincing victory but it's something that won't even be mentioned now. It's gone and forgotten about."

Peterborough go into the match in 13th place and Ferguson admitted last week that at the moment, his side have to try and outscore opponents because they are conceding too many goals.

But that may not be easy against a Cambridge side who have won their last five games in all competitions without conceding a single goal in reply - the last three by a 1-0 margin.

"In the build-up you treat it as a normal game, in the sense of your preparation but obviously when you get to Saturday, and the lads go to warm up, they'll have an understanding of how important it is to the fans," Ferguson said.

"Because it isn't just a normal game for them - it's a derby - but for the players you don't want to build it up too much because you want to make sure you don't overcook it."

Ferguson glad under-pressure Monk given time

Peterborough's double over Cambridge last season was only the second time Posh had achieved the feat, and the first since 1972.

After losing 11 of their first 12 games of the season, the U's have stormed back to life under Garry Monk to move off the bottom of the table.

Ferguson said he had sympathy with Monk during that difficult start.

"As a manager you always go through a tricky spell and when it's at the start of the season it's always magnified," he said.

"Garry's an experienced manager. They've picked up and have changed slightly - certainly they are playing less-risk football.

"They're very compact, very organised and are very hard to break down."

'Derby games are all different'

Garry Monk was not appointed by Cambridge until after both of last season's two League One meetings had taken place

Monk, however said that in derby games, recent form can count for very little.

"Derby games in general, I’ve managed quite a few and played in quite a few, they’re all different, quite individual games," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"As much as your preparation is the same for every game, there’s no denying that a derby game has a different feeling around it. It’s a derby I haven’t been involved in and a few of the boys in the changing room (haven't), so we go there looking forward to it and trying to put our best on the pitch."

He continued: "Each and every game, there's little tactical nuances you have to adapt to, each team is different.

"The principles, the effort we’ve been putting into our work, the intensity and focus, all the things that go with that, they don’t change - but there are little nuances which you have to be ready for."

Cambridge suffered a blow with midfielder Paul Digby ruled out for "six to 10 weeks" because of a muscle strain but striker Ryan Loft and Shayne Lavery are both nearing a return to action.

However, Monk acknowledged Peterborough would start as favourites because of the attacking threat they pose.

Posh have only won two of their last five in the league, but have beaten Stevenage and Crystal Palace's under-21 side in the EFL Trophy, either side of a gutsy 4-2 win at Newport County in the first round of the FA Cup.

"They spend a lot on talented players but obviously with the model of selling them for a profit and they’ve done exceptionally well at that over the years," Monk added.

"We know their attacking threat is huge for this level."