Peterborough United chairman, Darragh MacAnthony, has expressed his displeasure at Rotherham United manager Steve Evans‘ post-match remarks following last weekend’s thrilling 3-3 draw.
MacAnthony, speaking on his popular ‘Hard Truth‘ podcast, was baffled by Evans’ refusal to admit that Peterborough (Posh) had been the superior side tactically, especially given that Posh had controlled 75% of the game’s possession.
Despite Rotherham taking a 3-1 lead into halftime, Peterborough came back to salvage a point in what MacAnthony described as a “fantastic” and “brilliant” performance. The chairman was particularly irked by Evans’ insistence that Rotherham deserved to win, accusing him of spinning a narrative rather than recognising Posh’s dominance.
MacAnthony highlighted that Posh had outplayed a more experienced Rotherham side, a sentiment echoed by Rotherham’s own CEO, who praised Peterborough’s young players during the game.
MacAnthony’s Critique of Evans’ Post-Match Narrative
In his podcast, MacAnthony didn’t hold back when discussing his former manager’s comments, questioning Evans’ credibility. “I’ve defended Steve many times before, but he can let himself down in post-match interviews,” MacAnthony said. “He deflects and seems allergic to admitting the other team was better.”
MacAnthony, clearly disappointed, found it baffling that Evans, a supposed Posh fan and local man, failed to acknowledge that his team had been tactically outclassed. He added, “It’s an ego thing; he couldn’t admit his team was dominated by a younger, less experienced side.”
The Posh chairman further argued that even Rotherham fans would likely agree that the referee’s decision not to award a penalty to Rotherham was correct, countering Evans’ complaints about the officiating.
Praise for Posh’s Performance and Criticism of Evans’ Defence
MacAnthony was quick to highlight his team’s achievement, emphasising the youth and inexperience of the Peterborough squad, especially compared to the seasoned Rotherham players. He noted, “We had 4/5 Academy players on the pitch, and we were fantastic. We battered them.” Despite Rotherham’s experienced squad, Peterborough’s young midfield, with only 11 league games between them, managed to dominate the game.
MacAnthony didn’t dispute Evans’ desire to defend his team, but he questioned how Evans could claim his team deserved the win after being so heavily outplayed. “We had 75% possession, our highest in a game for about 10 years,” MacAnthony stated, adding that it was clear who had been the better side, regardless of Rotherham’s lead at half-time.
Despite his frustrations, MacAnthony did offer some praise for Evans and Rotherham, recognising the quality of their squad and maintaining his belief that they could still achieve promotion. “I tipped Rotherham to go up at the start of the season, and I still think they could,” he said. “Steve’s no mug, and nor are his players. He’s put together an amazing squad.”
Site Opinion
MacAnthony’s candid podcast highlighted the growing tension between the Peterborough United chairman and his former manager. His criticism of Evans’ unwillingness to give credit where it was due reflects the competitive nature of football, but also underscores the importance of recognising strong performances, even from your opponents. With both clubs still aiming high this season, this could be a rivalry to watch.
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