Darren Ferguson went off in a furious rant about his own players after Accrington knock Peterborough out of the Carabao Cup.
The Posh, who remain winless this season, fell to a 2-1 defeat at league below Accrington, with Stanley scoring twice in the first half through Alex Henderson (37 seconds) and Kelsey Mooney (25th minute).
Despite Peterborough dominating possession and pulling one back via Archie Collins in the 79th minute, Stanley held on, and came close to adding a third in added time.
“What we are is a really good team against mannequins” 😠
Darren Ferguson had some strong words as his Peterborough side lost their third game of the season yesterday 🙅🏻♂️#PUFC
— eflpublished (@eflpublished) August 13, 2025
He said, per Peterborough Today: “I was embarrassed by the first half and so should the players be. There are things you need to do to play for my teams and that was really missing in the first half. Does it really take a b********g from me and to be 2-0 down to wake up? We’re not that good. I have just asked them why that happened and I had no answer.
“It was nothing to do with formations. Our width comes from full backs and we don’t get crosses into the box. If I felt it was the formation I would say so. That was not to blame tonight. I protect my team a lot, but I am not taking that one. That performance is on them. I don’t say that often, but they have to take responsibility. I find it hard to defend that first half.
“What we are is a really good team against mannequins but when teams tackle us, we are really struggling. In that first half we so far away from what we expect, but you can’t have a first half like that and expect to get through a cup game. That is so far show from the desire, running, tackling etc we expect from a Peterborough United player.
“The start of the game has knocked us out. We conceded from the first action of the game. David OKagbue doesn’t get his timing right, Vinny makes a really good save, but they jump on the second ball and that was a constant throughout the first half. They just did the basics better and we can’t seem to do them at all.
“The first goal changes the whole dynamic of the game and allowed them to just sit in and shut off all the space.
“We then had three players miss the ball from a set-piece. You can talk all you want about passing the ball and playing a certain way. We want to play quick football and create chances. I want to play like we did in the second half but by then, it was too late.
“When we got it wide in good areas, well you saw the goal, but you just can’t give yourself a mountain to climb like that. I’m scratching my head with the first half performance, if some of them are getting a bit confused that is on me, but that first half is not the way we play
“We are a little bit short in certain areas. Me and the chairman have got a big job about what we do next.”
Stanley boss John Doolan said: “I am delighted with the performance, it was a battling performance, the back five were outstanding.
“I couldn’t fault the way we went about it.
“We work on stuff like the long throws and it’s come off for us.
“We set a plan out, we knew how Peterborough were going to play and I couldn’t fault the lads in terms of desire, attitude and resilience.”
Accrington Stanley: Wright, Sass, Rawson, Mooney, Henderson (sub Sinclair 40min), Pye (sub Love 61min), Matthews, Popoola (sub Woods 61min), Brown (sub Tunstall 77min), Martin (sub Coyle 62min), Conneely. Unused subs: Rogerson, Caton.
Posh: Reyes, Dornelly (sub Mendonca 70min), Mills, Wallin, Okagbue, Collins, Khela (sub Shofowoke 90min), O’Brien-Brady, Lisbie (sub Hayes 64min), Lindgren, Lolos (sub Odoh 46min). Unused subs: Smith, Nevett, Andrews.
Attendance: 847 (233 Posh fans)
Referee: Aaron Bannister
Here’s how fans reacted on Darren Ferguson in a furious rant about his own players after an ’embarrassing’ defeat to Accrington…
@_digsie: He’s not wrong. Last Tuesday in a training game we drew 0-0 against those mannequins. #pufc
@ffsTeekay: Quote of the evening for me
@022_BL: how’s he even still there 😂😂
@BenHall873466: Got to beat these men at the weekend 😂 knowing us though it will be 2-0 posh #wafc
@matt_pufc: I’m putting this straight in my veins.
@TOTAL_PUFC_: Nice to see him ripping into them tbh
@campufc: until the wheels fall off my gaffer
@doyoueveneven: Unfortunately, nothing is going to change. Darragh has too big of an ego and still, for some reason, has too many supporters. If that team somehow manages to get a couple of decent results, there will be the usual “I told you so” routine. #pufc
@nathan_young92: Fergie doesn’t see out the season, I’m so confident of that. Either he has enough and walks or him and Darragh have a huge falling out and he’s given the sack #pufc
@RRMorleyy: Darren Ferguson absolutely laying into these shite players is literally the only reason i’m watching… eyes closed audio on 100. Fucking tell em gaffer #pufc
@leccymansteve: I’d fancy the mannequins to get at least a draw against this lot.
@TobyWoody: Fergie can give the players as many bollockings as he wants. He’s been given a squad of players who are good enough to go to Accrington on a Tuesday night only to concede within 40 seconds. Perhaps we should look at our 80 year-old Director of Football’s recruitment strategy
@McEwen1171: If Darren Ferguson doesn’t think we’re in a relegation battle then we have issues #pufc
@redfordlad1: @DMAC102 this needs urgent explanation and action what a disgrace and an embarrassment we have become .. yet you will likely run your mouth once more about experience growth and a couple of good years 10 years ago ! 🤣🤣 JOKE !
