'Pumped' Posh boss wary of Cobblers danger man

Cobblers have only won one of their last 14 league games and are coming off back-to-back home defeats to bottom four teams, whereas Posh have headed in the other direction under Williams and currently sit 12th.

"We are pumped for the game,” Williams told the Peterborough Telegraph. “There should be a great atmosphere as there’s always a bit extra riding on a derby. We see it as important to be able to give our fans that lovely feeling again after a derby win.

"It will be competitive though. There will be excitement and intensity in the ground and we will try and use it to our advantage. We won’t be alone. I’m sure our fans will make themselves heard. We want to use that atmosphere to generate a good performance.

"Form going into a game like this doesn’t really matter. Whether you are top, in the middle or bottom, it isn’t as important as how you deal with the occasion.’

Williams has prepared his players to face an aerial bombardment at Sixfields on Saturday, and he’s singled out one player in particular.

"We have been preparing for their potential threats,” he added. “Tom Eaves was excellent when he came on against us at our place. I’ve come up against him many times and always admired him. We have been looking at how to contain a very difficult opponent.

"We have been working on our set-pieces and we managed to score a goal from a corner last weekend. Our defensive effectiveness at set-pieces will certainly be tested though. I suspect we will be facing a team determined to react positively after some recent setbacks.”

Posh will likely have to field a makeshift back four, one containing four right footed players, three of whom are natural right-backs. Peter Kioso, a former Cobblers loanee, is expected to continue at centre-back.

“I’ve been pleased with how players have accepted the challenge of playing in different positions,” Williams added.