Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson is to stand by blundering goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic after Wycombe put five past him.
The 21-year-old keeper had the game to forget at Adams Park with Peterborough losing 5-2, but despite the result, his manager admits that while Bilokapic made mistakes for all three of Wycombe’s goals in the second half, he will continue to support him.
Bilokapic’s performance was summed up with a poor pass to an opposing player for Wycombe’s fifth. This time, his attempted pass to Burrows was horribly scuffed, and that allowed David Wheeler to easily score a goal with a superb finish.
The result means Peterborough are 5th in the League One table with 56 points from 31 games played, while Wycombe are 15th with 37 points from 3-0 games, six points above the drop zone.
An afternoon to forget for Peterborough’s goalkeeper 😬
But a superb finish nonetheless from @wwfcofficial‘s David Wheeler!
Don’t miss @EFL highlights on ITVX 📲 pic.twitter.com/XtQpxq1bbk
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 11, 2024
Despite this, Ferguson showed his support for the Posh stopper by selecting him as the number one goalkeeper against Wigan last Saturday, after bringing back Jed Steer on deadline day.
However, the Posh has suffered three consecutive losses in the league since Bilokapic’s return from injury, conceding a total of 10 goals.
Ferguson said, as per Peterborough Telegraph: “It was a really tough day for the boy. He knows that, he knows he’s made mistakes for all of the goals in the second half. I have to stick by him, I’m not coming out here to criticise the boy, he needs my help.
“That’s a big part of my job, especially with a young squad. We’re conceding too many goals now, there’s no question about it, but that’s not just on Nick. He’s had a tough time second half, but my job is to defend him.
“He’s a very good goalkeeper and he’s just had a bad half second half and he knows it. I’ve got to protect and look after him and that’s what I’ll do.
“A lot of the criticism he has received has been unjust, but that’s happened before at this club. There’s something about young goalkeepers the fans don’t like but I have to stick by him.”
On the result against Peterborough who are in the play-offs, Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield said, per Bucks Free Press: “We had a tough time over the winter months, so it’s been important for all of us in the group to remain positive as I have massive faith in this team and my staff.
“We’ve had testing moments so to enjoy a day like today in front of our supporters against an incredible team in our league is great.
“I told the boys that I have huge belief in them.
“I’ve seen the pain they’ve gone through and I see what they give me on the training ground.
“We’ve had moments go against us but that hasn’t altered my belief in the group at all.”
On Peterborough bringing it back to 3-2 from 3-0 down: “You’re only human to get nervous as you’re 3-0 up and then you’re 3-2 up, as we’ve had games this season when we’ve conceded late.
“The character the boys showed was really important as it helped us get over the line.
“We’ve had a few good weeks in front of goal as we’ve tweaked a few things.
“The competition within the group has heightened, and the boys are playing with a lot of confidence.
“We had a few lean periods so for the goals to come at once shows we’re working well.”
On Vokes and Wheeler coming off the bench to score: “It’s very pleasing as there have been other moments in the season when you question whether you did the right thing or not.
“So for Sam and David to have the impact that they had was fantastic.
“I’ve been very consistent with my message to the players which is that this is a squad game and not just a first 11.
“For that come to fruition today and to see two of them score was great.”
Twitter users reacted with Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson to stand by the blundering goalkeeper after Wycombe put five past him…
@WycombeDJ: Genuine question, why isn’t Steer starting?
@BenPUFCx: Bilokapic has fergies nudes
@ExodusFanclub: Fergie hates Steer for some reason, even though he brought him back
@PufcSimmo14: Ill actually donate money so we can terminate Bilo’s contract. Worst keeper ive ever seen. Ive never hated a player as much. Cant defend that. Dont want to see him in a Posh shirt again
@Joober15: if things aren’t changed next game then fergie and dmac will only have themselves to blame
@LGend007: Bilokapic needs to get out of the first team asap
@liam18215: bilo out
@Freddie_PUFC: Get him gone now
@UnbeatenStryjek: Bilo has done it again, what a keeper
@MrGoody11: Keeper is horrendous
@JoshuaD75999168: How embarrassing
@pikachudard1s: Maybe next time you should try playing with a keeper that knows how to save the ball
@the_running_cam: We sign Jed Steer. And we play Bilokapic. Bilokapic has conceded 10 goals in 3 games and made 4 mistakes including 2 own goals 😣 It’s simple.. Steer commands and controls the defence.. he’s a leader and a quality GK.
@razorblue: One thing is certain we won’t be Bilo in goal again. that is a shocker from him today
@PboroRyxn: Same old, same old. Bilo is abysmal. Needs dropping for Steer ASAP.
@connor_mh: your goalkeeper is the worst keeper Ive ever seen in my life😂😂😂thank you for playing him
Fair enough may as well make it a hat trick of clangers Bilo. Fuck off #pufc https://t.co/7oV0YK9jVf pic.twitter.com/Ma2i3vl7OD
— Shawn ♠️ (@Storrinho) February 10, 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login