Savage demands a mentality overhaul as Posh spark four‑goal blitz

Peterborough United exploded into the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, netting four goals in the opening nine minutes to secure a 4‑1 victory over Ipswich Town U21s in Robbie Savage’s debut at the helm. The rapid on‑fire display set the tone for the new manager’s first competitive outing.

New manager demands a mentality shift

Savage was appointed as Luke Williams’ successor on Friday, taking over a side that has been described as underachieving. He immediately called on the Peterborough squad to abandon a mentality of merely stopping opponents and to focus on playing for themselves and their supporters.

“We’ve got to get rid of this mentality of ‘let’s stop the opposition’, it’s about us,” Savage told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. He added that the club will be taking more than 3,200 fans to Leicester and expects the players to entertain them.

“These players are underachieving; if we can get the best out of them we can beat anybody,” he said. The manager believes the early‑season burst shows the potential to compete with any opponent.

EFL Trophy progress and upcoming league test

Tuesday’s win secured Peterborough’s place in the last 32 of the EFL Trophy, a competition they lifted for a joint‑record third time in 2025. The 51‑year‑old will now lead the team onto the touchline for his opening League One fixture at Leicester City on Saturday.

Savage, who departed National League side Forest Green last week, said the performance provided a blueprint of the high‑energy, relentless football he intends to implement. “The lads have embraced it ever so well. It’s a tough, high‑energy way to play,” he explained.

“We will concede goals the way we play, I accept that… it’s a positive start, but the fans have gone away happy,” he concluded. Savage hopes the early enthusiasm will translate into consistent results throughout the season.