Town boss Paul Jewell is looking for his side to bounce back to form when they visit Peterborough United for this season’s first live TV game on Saturday evening (Sky Sports Two 5pm, KO 5.20pm). Despite their poor home performances, the Blues’ only away trip so far this campaign yielded a 3-0 opening day win at Bristol City.

Jewell was struggling to explain why his side had been so defensively poor during the 5-2 defeat to Southampton straight after the match, but says he, his staff and the players reviewed the performance on Wednesday: “When you give a press conference 15 minutes after a defeat like that you are very raw and you’re hurting.

“But we came in the next morning and went through the DVD and it was some very, very poor defending, there’s no doubt about it, and we got punished for that.

“We got back in the game at 3-2, you were thinking that if we got a point or even three points out of the game it would be a terrific comeback. But unfortunately we’re getting punished every time we make an error, whether defensively or when we miss a chance.

“It’s like everything in the game, you’ve got to cut out the basic errors, and if we do that, we’ll be all right.”

The Blues boss says the issue is not just with much-criticised central defensive pair Damien Delaney and Tommy Smith but with the manner in which his entire team defends: “There’s a lot of work to do here, there’s no doubt about it.

“We’ve got to defend better as a group, it’s as simple as that. It’s been our Achilles’ heel since I’ve been here; at home when we attack we get caught on the break. It’s happened time after time.

“We work and work on it, but we still make the same mistakes. We know we have to cut them out.”

The Blues boss is expecting the usual tough Championship encounter against a Peterborough side which has won one, drawn on and lost once since promotion via the play-offs after one season in League One: “I saw them the other night against Millwall when they came back from 2-0 down.

“They’re a very good footballing team, Darren Ferguson’s done well there. It’ll be a very tough game. I think the results the other night, when Bristol City won at Leicester, Brighton went to Cardiff and won 3-1, after Cardiff had gone to West Ham and won, show that there are no games in this league that you can call. There are no ‘gimmes’ in this league.”

Jewell may well be tempted to return to the 4-5-1 formation which served his side so well at Ashton Gate, having switched to his favoured 4-4-2 against Southampton. However, with Peterborough lining up 4-4-2 he may choose to match Posh like-for-like rather than reverting back to a single striker.

Either way, with no injuries aside from central defender Ívar Ingimarsson, who is out for two weeks with a thigh strain, David Stockdale will be in goal with Aaron Cresswell and Carlos Edwards likely to be the full-backs.

With no new defensive addition to the squad, the Blues boss again faces the choice of whether to bring Jack Ainsley — mainly a right-back rather than a centre-half - in for his full league debut on the right of Damien Delaney at the centre of the defence. Jewell though, may well again go with the greater experience of Tommy Smith, who like the Irishman is more comfortable on the left rather than the right.

Academy second-year scholar Joe Whight is understood to have impressed at centre-half for the reserves in their behind-closed-doors friendly against Luton in the week but is also left-sided. However, the 17-year-old could well be in Paul Jewell’s thoughts for a role on the bench. If he does get a surprise first team debut, it’s more likely to be at full-back, allowing Cresswell to push into midfield.

If Jewell starts with a midfield four, he will have to decide between skipper Grant Leadbitter, Lee Bowyer and new signing Keith Andrews for the two central roles. Veteran Bowyer might be the man to drop out of what would be his third game in a week. Mark Kennedy also seems likely to switch to place amongst the subs.

Lee Martin and Josh Carson could take up the wide berths with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas behind Michael Chopra up front. If Town go with a midfield five, Emmanuel-Thomas could well be on one flank with Bowyer probably keeping his place in the centre.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson is expecting a Town side stung by Tuesday’s heavy loss, a match he attended: “I’m never sure how to view results like Ipswich suffered on Tuesday. Southampton were very good and Ipswich didn’t play very well, but teams tend to react positively to defeats like that.

“I know Ipswich manager Paul Jewell very well and there’s no way he will accept another performance like that so I’m expecting them to be very difficult opponents tomorrow.

“It could be that they are better suited to away matches anyway, so we will have to wait and see what happens. I do know we are full of confidence after our start to the season.”

Centre-half Gaby Zakuani is a doubt with a toe injury and striker Nick Ajose is in a similar position due to a hamstring problem. Left-back Ben Gordon has signed on loan from Chelsea.

The last game between the sides was in February 2010 when relegation-bound Posh deservedly came from behind to beat the Blues 3-1 at London Road.

Daryl Murphy’s third goal in three games put Town in front with the Blues comfortable before the break but having missed chances. However, in the second half the Posh hit back with goals from Liam Dickinson, Lee Frecklington and Craig Morgan.

The 0-0 draw at Portman Road earlier that season had been the first league match between the sides.

In cups, the teams have met on five occasions with Posh winning three times, the Blues once — an FA Cup victory in January 1972, still the Blues’ only victory over the Cambridgeshire side - and one game ending in a draw.

The most recent of those matches came in August 2010 in the second round of the Carling Cup at London Road when Peterborough came from behind to win 2-1 after Tamás Priskin had netted his first goal for Town and had also missed a penalty. Lee Frecklington and George Boyd scored for the home side.

No current Town player has appeared for the Posh and no member of the Peterborough squad has played a first team game for the Blues, although defender Ryan Bennett was released at 16 by the Town academy.

Saturday’s referee is Graham Scott from Oxfordshire, who has shown 12 yellow cards and one red in three games so far this season. Scott’s only previous Town game was as a late replacement in the 2-1 loss at Watford last October when he booked only David Norris.

Squad from: Stockdale, Lee-Barrett, Edwards, Cresswell, Whight, Delaney, Smith, Ainsley, Kennedy, Leadbitter, Bowyer, Andrews, Emmanuel-Thomas, Martin, Carson, Healy, Drury, Chopra, Scotland, Ellington, Priskin.

Photo: Action Images

marcus139 added 22:13 - Aug 19 Delaney? My little sister is tougher than him, without mcauley to look after him he is like a child looking for his mum in debenhams. I love people going on about positive comments, after we have been hammered at home time and again. You need to speak truth and criticise. Not just say coyb......yet when i am at game i will always support and most start booing at halftime. Get it right.....cheer during the game from start to end, moan and boo now.....capiche?

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marcus139 added 22:19 - Aug 19 Delaney? My little sister is tougher than him, without mcauley to look after him he is like a child looking for his mum in debenhams. I love people going on about positive comments, after we have been hammered at home time and again. You need to speak truth and criticise. Not just say coyb......yet when i am at game i will always support and most start booing at halftime. Get it right.....cheer during the game from start to end, moan and boo now.....capiche?

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marcus139 added 22:27 - Aug 19 A lot of people talking about priskin......you watched him over last year or two? He is utter cr*p. A complete waste of money. Has talent, but has no drive whatsoever. Hopeless. Chopra on other hand, quality. When we sort our formation out and get a defence. How any fan can rate priskin is beyond me.
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beerhelps added 22:42 - Aug 19 hey marcus, how many times did we vote him MOTM last season? I have a feeling it was six or seven. How many starts? who knows what might happen if he was given a start and fans didn't slag him.
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marcus139 added 22:54 - Aug 19 If he was rated man of match, kinda sums up our mid table slumber and abject nature of most of our players. I agree he has a lot of ability, i just want him to use it......if he does, i will back him massively, as i know all of us would.
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Tractastic added 22:58 - Aug 19 Since G Mac has gone Delaney is looking a far weaker defender but maybe with a strong right sided central defender he will perform like we know that he can.Unfortunately he is playing long side one of the worst ITFC defenders i can remember in Tommy Smith so lets hope we can fill this position quickly. As with all the other TWTD posters i reckon we will need to score at least 3 because we are bound to let in at least 3.If i was Chpra i would be banging at the bosses door for defenders!!He can't do it all on his own.......and hopefully Jimmy's coming!!

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h32 added 23:17 - Aug 19 pazelle - nothing at all wrong with your 'Priskin / Chopra' partnership theory. Priskin, paired with the right person, playing for the right Manager, and getting the right service, has previously proved he can do the business. Personally, I like the idea, and feel they would compliment each others game. Given a good run together in the team, could be VERY successful.
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h32 added 23:21 - Aug 19 Mark - the whole scenario at the Club now is a SHAMBLES - top to bottom.
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h32 added 23:34 - Aug 19 ....... 'time for the team to GEL' - how many more times are we going to keep hearing this load of bo##ocks ? Any experienced Pro' will tell you that if you play 'square pegs in square holes' and 'round pegs in round holes' this GEL word is complete NONSENSE. Over to the Manager to prove he knows what he is doing, while he still has the chance.
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BrettenhamBlue added 01:23 - Aug 20 victorywillhappen- All good possible signings. But even the simplest signings seem to allude us. Haroun (who is going to be VERY good defensively) has gone to Middlesborough. Anthony Gardner?- Gone to Palace (Smith and Delaney would make him look World-Class). Meanwhile- Brighton are on the verge of signing Swansea's Ryan Harley (who is an excellent creative midfielder). Look at our signings- We spent money on- Cresswell, Chopra and JET- All excellent signings, but 3 players don't make a team. All the rest of our freebies and loans have been crap so far (and that includes Bowyer). Why are we so insistent on finding "bargains on the cheap?" If someone is a free transfer- they are looking for the BEST DEAL. I do trust in Jewell and think he is trying to make the right decisions, but once again think there is a deep rot at our club. I voice the same opinion as an earlier comment. If we don't get beat on Saturday it will be a miracle.

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GiveusaWave added 01:53 - Aug 20 Instead of signing decent players we are all desperately waiting for loan players. How many other teams will be doing the same and what short term incentives can they offer over us? This club is a shambles and i am sorry but we will get what we deserve this season. The same situation happened with sheff utd last year.
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ericgates added 07:35 - Aug 20 I wonder if PJ could look at a formation that did us so well when we last got promoted. The 3-5-2 with wing backs. Liverpool used it once last season and won 1-0 at Chelsea, and it may suit the players we have better at the moment. I know it involves 3 centre backs, which we are really struggling with, but I think we would be more solid right through the team. We can get our width from Edwards and Cresswell as wing backs. Both are excellent going forward and would give them greater freedom rom defensive duties. Tommy Smith did really well for New Zealand at the last world cup as part of a back three, alongside some experience (Ryan Nelson). I would ideally play Ingarmarrson in the centre, but tonight use Mark Kennedy, with Smith on the left and Jack Ainsley on the right. Playing in a three will also help Ainsley I believe. In midfield you could use 3 solid midfielders, or maybe 2 solid midfielders and one of the players who have been deployed on the wing in our current 4-5-1 system, such as Emmanuel Thomas, Martin or Carson. The solid midfielders whould be any from Bowyer, Leadbitter, Andrews, Andrews or Hyam. Up front I would play Chopra with either Priskin, Ellington, Emmanuel Thomas or Murray. I think this system would be more fluid and solid, get the best from the players we have, and give more support to our best player Chopra up front.

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ericgates added 07:40 - Aug 20 Sorry, I forgot we have also Colin Healy to play in midfield.
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Martus added 13:51 - Aug 20 This team is no where near the quality we expected. Sure the defence is a major problem, but i think the midfield is equally as bad, no one wants the ball and no one can play the ball foward to the strikers. There is such a big gap between the fowards and the midfield its embaressing. Plus the fact that no one collects the ball from the keeper and the centrebacks meaning they have too play it long means we can create the chances that Chopra needs My team for tonight . . . . . . . . Stockdale Edwards Smith Delaney Creswell (dont have anyone else) Leadbitter Andrews Carson JET Martin Chopra Or if Carsons not fit and Jewell see's Priskins quality as i do, because Ellington and Scotland are useless and slow. . . . . . Stockdale Edwards Smith Delaney Creswell Leadbitter Andrews JET Martin Chopra Priskin

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IvorFeeling added 15:46 - Aug 20 So many so negative. Jewell has been in charge for 28 matches and has won 12. Give the guy some time and we have the makings of a good squad. We all know the weaknesses, but if you add seven new players to any team it will take time to settle - this applies to all sports and businesses alike. I wouldn't normally accept a 0-0 draw away to Peterbrough but sometimes you just have to get a result. If we are still in the same situation come end of November then that's the time to shout.

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tjh276m added 16:42 - Aug 20 anyone know where/if the game is gonna be streamed online?
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joshberry94 added 16:48 - Aug 20 as much as i agree that performances ( and more importantly results ) have been sub-standard, we have played 3 games this season! I dont believe how many people are talking about a 'decline of the club' judge how things are once a decent amount of games have passed - at least 10 games - before you mention such things. it was only a couple of weeks ago after the Bristol City game that there was so much optimism here... PJ knows we need strengthening at CB , he is just making sure we get the right one, one that Will help us improve as a team and isnt just a sidewards step such as signing a player like Nyron Nosworthy

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fourth added 17:18 - Aug 20 It's going to be OK The Home problem needs to be dealt with before we lose more points. It's psychological and is centred on additional expectancy and points up the need for a captain who demands 100% heart from his players and the players taking responsibility. I think the team are becoming more mature, need to be fitter and need to work on strategy
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shaunous added 18:00 - Aug 20 Yeah so why isn't Priskin playing? 3-1 at half-time is a pure joke.
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CreamCrazy added 18:04 - Aug 20 4-1... how the hell has our defence crumbled like this so easily?
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shaunminx added 18:05 - Aug 20 Peterborough chanting easy. They'll never get it any easier. This lot are a disgrace. To think they're getting paid for this sh*t.
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peteswindon added 18:10 - Aug 20 I can honestly say I have never seen such a load of tripe in my life, we have no pace that JET is rubbish to say the least. I really am at a loss for words.
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Keaneish added 18:17 - Aug 20 I wouldn't sell Leadbitter, i'd sack him and i'd do it at half time. Disgraceful 45 mins. Never can he wear that arm band, get rid.
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shaunminx added 18:21 - Aug 20 Great ref. Two offside goals and Martin got the ball. Still no excuse for the tripe we're serving up. Agree with keanish if hull can sack a genius like Bullard then surely we can get rid of leadbitter and claim compensation off him!
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John added 18:22 - Aug 20 No excuses If i hear one more time how difficult it is to sign quality players i'll scream. 9 goals in a game and a half to 2 teams who were playing L1 football last season is disgraceful. Curently relegation form, only saving grace its early in the season. i'm no fan of RK but he would have been crucified if he'd been the boss.
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