Ferguson Blasts Refereeing After Late Defeat to Bolton Wanderers
However, he praised his team's performance in the first half, stating, “I thought we were good.” He emphasized the importance of having the determination to keep a clean sheet. “We showed it today and deserved a clean sheet,” he added, lamenting the referee’s poor decision-making.
Darren Ferguson, the manager of Peterborough United, expressed his frustration following a late defeat against Bolton Wanderers, attributing the loss to a “horrendous mistake” made by the officials. The match concluded dramatically, with Klaidi Lolos scoring in the dying moments after a penalty taken by Dion Charles was saved by Peterborough's goalkeeper, Nicholas Bilokapic.
Ferguson reflected on the cruelty of football, noting, “The game we are involved in can be very cruel, as it showed today with the last kick of the ball.” He emphasized the challenges posed by officiating standards, criticizing the linesman's position during the decisive moments. “Watching it back, the linesman has to stand on the line to obviously see if there is any infringement. Charles made the kick, Nick saved it, and he has run back out the way so he can’t see anything.”
According to Ferguson, the assessor acknowledged the linesman’s blunder, stating, “He has made a horrendous mistake. If he stands where he is, it is a handball.” The manager highlighted the timing of the events, noting that it was the last kick of the match. He added, “I am told it is 96:30 because of the substitution, and they get the corner on 97:02. They are miles away, the standard.”
The defeat leaves Peterborough sitting 13th in the League One standings, a frustrating position for a team eager to improve after a rocky start to the season. Despite this setback, Ferguson remains optimistic about his team’s potential for future success. He believes that if they can maintain the “desire and determination” displayed during the match at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, they will be able to secure positive results.
“Bolton is a good team,” he acknowledged. “They will be in the top six, no question, with the amount of money they have spent and the quality of players they have.” Ferguson recognized that competing away from home often presents challenges, especially when a team is not at its best with the ball. “We certainly weren’t perfect in possession in the second half,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Ferguson sees this match as a starting point for his team. “If we can show that desire and determination, along with the quality we have, we will win lots of games,” he asserted. His confidence suggests that despite the current league position, Peterborough can turn their fortunes around if they build on the positives from their performance against Bolton.
Ferguson's focus now shifts to instilling belief and resilience within his squad as they prepare for upcoming fixtures. The manager remains committed to developing a cohesive team that can navigate the challenges of League One and rise up the table. With a combination of hard work and a renewed focus on their gameplay, Peterborough fans can hold onto hope for better days ahead.
