Chip off the old block? Apparently not.

Yesterday Peterborough United sacked Alex Ferguson’s boy, Darren, after a run of results that has left ‘the Posh’ bottom of the Championship and 4 points from safety. When a team fails to win games, the manager is the one responsible. His team, his style, his fault.

But are Peterborough United being hasty? And do they have ideas well above their station?

Ferguson Jr. has taken Peterborough from League 2 to the Championship in just two years. An amazing feat for a small team that averages gates of  around 8,000, a team that has made the second tier of English football for just the fourth time in its history, and a team with very limited resources.

In the past the Posh have relied on smart signings and have unearthed some gems. Striker Aaron McLean cost just 150,000 ukp and their current England under 21 keeper Joe Lewis, signed from Norwich for a record fee of 500,000.

Fergie Jr. has worked wonders at Peterborough and what does he get for his trouble? No loyalty. The Posh obviously think someone else can do better with their meager resources and obviously think that they belong in the Colaship.

The reality is that they were seriously punching above their weight to get there in the first place. Ferguson may well have taken them back down, but he has the experience to bring them back up. Canning the man who has brought them a unique chance to build for the future and maybe to rebound and consolidate a regular Colaship place at some point down the line is going to prove a huge mistake.

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony will hold a press conference this afternoon where its possible they could unveil Sloth as their new man. A manager who has been at more clubs than Peter Stringfellow andone who usually jumps ship when he finds out all the talk of money to spend is pie in the sky. Dowie is at 10-1 with Tony Adams and Gareth Southgate. Steve Coppell is the bookies favourite at 4-1 but it would be seriously surprising if the former Reading man would take on the London Road outfit when a much better opportunity will surely present itself soon enough.

****************UPDATE*******************************

Today the Posh say that they did NOT sack their manager but that Ferguson’s departure was mutual and that they believe he will be taking another job sooner rather than later!

Former manager and current director of football, Barry Fry, says that Fergie Jr has a job lined up somewhere. Are you paying attention Phil Brown? But wait! Fergie Jr countered Peterborough’s press conference and Fry’s large and well known oral orifice with a stern denial…

Barry Fry.'Larger than life' would be selling him short.

Ferguson: “Unfortunately, Barry Fry has today intimated that I already have a new position in place. I can categorically confirm that is 100% untrue. However, these comments have not impacted upon my feelings towards my time at Peterborough or the players, the chairman and the supporters of the club. ”

Stay tuned folks, this one is warming up and someone is lying.

Meanwhile the Posh have not made a decision about Ferguson’s replacement yet. However, they did rule out Steve Coppell, Gareth Southagate and Peter Taylor. Bournmouth have apparently turned down an approach for boss Eddie Howe. My money is on Ian Dowie.