Can Luke Williams Induct Peterborough's Redemption

Can Luke Williams Induct Peterborough’s Redemption?

1..2..3..4..5. Euphoria took over the Weston Homes Stadium, served with the desperate feeling of relief. Luke Williams remained cool, calm and composed amongst the Peterborough elation, as he applauded his home support whose excitement reflected that of a title-winning team.

But who wouldn’t celebrate in such a manner? The club have been riddled amongst the relegation zone all season, having collected just three wins from 13 and scored only 10 within them.

It was simply a shadow of the Posh that earned promotion not too long ago, the Posh that achieved back-to-back playoffs and scored countless goals. Yet it's one of the priciest squads the club has ever had.

Darren Ferguson’s departure was a goodbye that was absent from the hopes of any Boro fan after claiming a second consecutive EFL Trophy at Wembley in April. No one has ever achieved as much as Fergie did with the Posh. However, time moves quickly in football, and it quickly became clear that a revamp was needed.

Luke Williams was the chosen successor, and his five-star display on Saturday has already laid down the foundations for Peterborough’s rejuvenation.

What a day in PE2! Two goals from Harry Leonard, two goals from substitute Gustav Lindgren with another from Kyrell Lisbie makes it the perfect afternoon at the Weston Homes Stadium.

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🎩 5-0 🟡 | #pufc pic.twitter.com/DSknxoLsy1

— Peterborough United (@theposh) November 8, 2025

The Posh Hit Five

Saturday afternoon was Luke Williams’ mission statement to both Peterborough United and the rest of League One. Although the former Swansea boss had already beaten Cardiff City the week prior to take Posh through to the second round of the FA Cup, it was his first League One fixture which was always going to mean the most.

The Cambridgeshire outfit took on seventh-placed AFC Wimbledon to kick off the Williams era. Within just 16 minutes, the new head coach found his side two goals to the good, after a Harry Leonard brace.

Leonard was a player whom Posh spent over a million pounds on in the summer, yet despite strong performances, he had not registered a league goal yet for his new club.

This was a similar story to non-League journeyman Kyrell Lisbie, who also signed for the Posh during the summer from the National League’s Braintree Town. Lisbie extended the lead to 3-0 against Wimbledon just 20 minutes after Leonard’s double, also recording a first goal in Posh blue.

Standing 3-0 up at half-time, the Posh were in store for their fourth league victory of the season after just 45 minutes.

A late brace from Swede Gustav Lindgren sealed the deal in PE2 and has already got all Posh fans ecstatic about what the future will bring under their new leader.

📷 🇸🇪#pufc pic.twitter.com/NcNkQzkE50

— Peterborough United (@theposh) November 8, 2025

How Far Can Williams Take The Posh?

At this moment in time, it is important not to get ahead of ourselves. Though nevertheless, the Posh have won two from two under Luke Williams’ reign, which is something to be very eager and excited about.

The triumph against Wimbledon has already helped Peterborough climb the table; they now sit 22nd after jumping up two spots – four points away from safety with a game in hand.

Furthermore, despite being an audacious prospect, a win in their game in hand could take Williams’ men within just nine points of a playoff position.

Although, as mentioned, it is important the Cambridgeshire side take one game at a time and for now, that is Mansfield Town away next weekend. The Stags are exercising a superb campaign in the third tier so far, as they occupy eighth place after 15 games. However, the same was said about Wimbledon too.

Following Mansfield comes Stevenage, which is another tricky fixture for the Posh. The Hertfordshire side have asserted themselves in the playoff zone already this term, whilst staying just two points adrift of the top spot.

The Right Portfolio For This Division

It has been over eight years since Luke Williams last managed at League One level, and that two-year stint with Swindon Town collapsed following the club’s relegation.

However, at just 36 years old at the time, it’s fair to say Williams has learnt a long craft in the years since.

The former Norwich City youth player had coaching roles with Bristol City, MK Dons and then Swansea City, as Russell Martin’s right-hand man with the latter two. That was until he was appointed as the head coach of Notts County in 2022, reigniting his career as the man in charge five years later.

With Notts County, Williams earned promotion from the National League in his first season, after earning 107 points and winning the playoffs. That year, County scored 117 goals in total, whilst conceding just 42 - taking champions Wrexham right down to the wire.

Just halfway into the following campaign, Swansea City picked him up once again, but this time as the manager. However, just one year later, Luke Williams left the Swans after a run of seven defeats from nine games in the Championship.

Swansea's hunt for a manager may be coming to an end... 👀

The Swans are working on a deal to name Notts County head coach Luke Williams as their new boss.#BBCFootball #Swansea pic.twitter.com/WqlJY13nNs

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 3, 2024

Conquered League Two but was deemed not good enough for the Championship; now is the perfect time for Williams to prove himself at the level in between.