EFL club’s chairman responds to Adrian Durham’s shock relegation claim

Aug 7, 2026 - 16:30

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has called for calm in the transfer market amid Adrian Durham’s relegation fears.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Posh fan Durham voiced his concerns that the club’s lack of activity in the summer window has the club at serious risk of the drop.

Harley Mills in action for Peterborough United — Posh are aiming for a return to the second tier after four seasons away

“We lost three of our best players this summer, they’ve not been replaced,” Durham said.

“We haven’t signed a player for a month.

“The manager, Luke Williams, says Posh are targeting promotion. With the squad we’ve got right now, Posh will be relegated.

“If they don’t add at least four players to go straight in the first team, a right-back, a winger, a No.10 and a six, Peterborough will be in massive trouble.”

Patience is a virtue

However, MacAnthony, who has been the club’s chairman since 2006, was quick to allay Durham’s fears and claimed Posh are quietly working from a transfer shortlist that has been in place since May.

“I can basically give up what we’re trying to do and I can go sign plan C, D and E, and they’re not the players we wanted,” MacAnthony said on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan.

“Or, I can just hang in there and play this the way I’m playing it, which I think will be the right thing for our football club.

“We do need four or five signings, potentially five.”

One position MacAnthony didn’t believe needed upgrading was the right-back spot.

At present, 21-year-old James Dornelly and Carl Johnston are the main options to play on the right side of defence, with MacAnthony describing the duo as ‘two very good right-backs and everyone knows that.’

Darragh MacAnthony speaking on talkSPORT — MacAnthony is comfortable with Posh waiting for the right player rather than stressing in the transfer market

“We have a good young squad, we have a great manager,” MacAnthony continued.

“They’ve been working their backsides off all summer and I just hate the fact they’re getting hammered.

“The manager, his staff, the work they’ve put in with the players… And it’s not just Adrian, it’s everyone else saying, ‘They’re going to be bottom, they’re going to be relegated.’

“My god, cut us some slack.”

MacAnthony: ‘Everyone forgets’ we’ve made play-offs in three of last five seasons

It must be noted Durham did back MacAnthony to bring in the right players as Posh look to avoid a similar slump in League One.

Accelerated by injuries to three of the club’s best players, Peterborough won just one of their last 15 league fixtures.

Peterborough United manager Luke Williams looks on — Williams has won 14 of his first 37 games in charge of the club

The alarming run of form meant Posh ended the season in 18th and four points clear of the relegation zone.

Yet MacAnthony was quick to point out that type of season is an exception rather than the norm in recent years and reiterated a message of patience in the transfer market.

“I know we finished really badly, but it’s not where Peterborough wants to be,” MacAnthony said.

“Three of the last five years, we’ve been in the play-offs, but everyone forgets that.

“I know what we need, the manager knows what we need. But we want the ones we want. What we don’t want is worse options.”