Savage calls for Peterborough mentality shift after four-goal Trophy burst

Robbie Savage has called on Peterborough United to adopt a more assertive approach after opening his managerial tenure with a 4-1 EFL Trophy victory over Ipswich Town Under-21s. Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire in comments reported on Wednesday, he said his players were underperforming and should focus more on imposing their own game than containing opponents.

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Tuesday's result put Peterborough into the competition's last 32. Their four goals arrived in a nine-minute spell before half-time, giving Savage a winning start after his appointment on Friday. The 51-year-old replaced Luke Williams, having left National League club Forest Green the previous week, and described the performance as an indication of the energetic football he wants his new team to deliver.

According to Ipswich news outlet TWTD's match report, Harry Leonard opened the scoring with a 26th-minute penalty after Leon Elliott caught him while attempting a clearance. Harry Ashfield added the second two minutes later from Carl Johnston's pass. Leonard struck again in the 31st minute, turning inside the area and finishing via the inside of a post.

Ethan Williams completed the burst in the 35th minute with a long-range finish after collecting a loose ball. Leonard then had an effort disallowed for offside before the interval. Ipswich reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half when Charlie Compton's cross-field pass released Luca Fletcher, who beat goalkeeper Alex Bass. The visitors did not score again.

There was also a return to action for Ipswich midfielder Jack Taylor, who played an hour against his former club. TWTD reported that it was his first appearance since knee surgery at the end of last season. The defeat ended Ipswich's hopes of advancing from the group, while substitute Shakil Nicolaou struck a post with a late free-kick.

Savage acknowledged that his attacking approach would leave Peterborough liable to concede, but said the squad had responded well to its physical demands. He welcomed the positive start and the supporters' reaction. His message after the win was that entertaining those fans should remain central to how Peterborough play, rather than allowing opponents to dictate their approach.