Evans admits playing Marriott and Maddison may have put them in shop window

Posted Sunday, April 29, 2018 by PA

Peterborough boss Steve Evans admitted he may have upset the powers that be – despite snapping a four-match losing run.

Jack Marriott and George Cooper hit second-half goals as Posh signed off in winning style in their final ABAX Stadium outing of the campaign.

Marriott grabbed his 33rd goal of the season – 27 of which have arrived in League One – six minutes after the break before Cooper sealed victory with 12 minutes to go, stylishly converting a cross from substitute Danny Lloyd.

But the selection of the league’s leading scorer Marriott, who missed a midweek defeat at Shrewsbury with a foot problem, may have raised eyebrows internally.

Marriott and Marcus Maddison, who also returned from a four-match lay-off during which Posh failed to pick up a point, are expected to attract plenty of bids this summer.

Evans said: “Jack is a special talent when the ball is in the box. He still has lots to improve on but his goalscoring record is such that there is already huge interest.

“I want him back here next season but I understand and respect the way football works. The chairman and board will decide what is right for Jack and this club.

“It was a big decision to play him today as there are so many clubs chasing him. The chairman told me it was my call, but one or two people above me were probably not too happy about it!

“Marcus is subject of great interest as well. I’ve been a massive admirer of them both from afar and have now had the opportunity to work with them.

“I obviously hope the chairman and his fellow directors can find a way to say no to the bids that will come in.”

Fleetwood were beaten in the penultimate match of John Sheridan’s short reign as he makes way for Joey Barton in the summer.

First-team coach Barry Nicholson said: “We are disappointed with the result and the performance, but when John came in the main priority was to stay in the league and we have done that.

“We had plenty of the ball in the first half, but too often chose the wrong option and our final ball let us down.

“Peterborough opened up in the second half and we didn’t play far enough up the pitch to get back in the game. We’re really disappointed to have conceded goals in the manner we did as well.

“The new manager has been watching for the last two to three weeks and it is up to the players to stake their claim for next season.

“First impressions are really important and we’ve been trying to stress that to them.”