Robbie Savage has challenged his Peterborough United squad to change their “mentality” in a bid to end a spell of “underachieving” as he settles into his new role at the club.
Savage was named as Luke Williams’ successor and took charge of Peterborough for the first time in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie against Ipswich Town U21s, a match in which Posh scored four goals in nine first-half minutes on their way to a 4-1 win. The victory secured Peterborough’s place in the last 32 of the competition, which they won for a joint-record third time in 2025.
The 51-year-old, who left National League side Forest Green last week, now takes his side to Leicester City on Saturday for his opening League One fixture. He said he expects more than 3,200 Peterborough supporters to make the trip, and wants his players to put on a performance worth watching for them.
“We’ve got to get rid of this mentality of let’s stop the opposition, it’s about them. No, it’s about us,” Savage said. “Let’s be us, let’s go and play, let’s have a go, let’s entertain. It’s about us, it’s about our fans – I think we’re taking more than 3,200 [to Leicester] and I want them [the players] to entertain our fans.”
Savage said he hoped the midweek display offered a blueprint for what supporters can expect from his team under his management. “The lads have embraced it [my style of play] ever so well. It’s a tough way to play, it’s a relentless way to play. It’s high energy,” he added.
He acknowledged that his approach carries risks, but believes the early signs are encouraging. “We will concede goals the way we play, I accept that… it’s a positive start, but the fans have gone away happy.”
Assessing the squad he has inherited, Savage was blunt about the level he believes it has been performing at, and optimistic about what could follow if he can raise it. “These players are underachieving, if we can get the best out of them we can beat anybody,” he said.